Verdict from the High Anti-Corruption Court
The High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine has found Member of Parliament Liudmyla Marchenko and her aide, Anastasiia Kolesnyk, guilty of abuse of influence. The pair were convicted for accepting a bribe in exchange for promising to add two men of conscription age to the 'Shliakh' (Path) system, a mechanism that would have allowed them to leave the country. The court sentenced both defendants to two years in prison and barred them from holding any public office or local government positions for three years.
Case Details
According to the case materials, the prosecutor sought to have Marchenko and Kolesnyk found guilty of crimes under specific articles of the Ukrainian Criminal Code. The prosecution also insisted on a five-year prison sentence and requested that their pre-trial restrictions be changed to detention until the verdict became final. The defense, in turn, asked for the acquittal of both accused.
The investigation in this case began on July 11, 2023, when Marchenko and her aides were notified of suspicion. The trial itself lasted from October 2024. Judges reviewed covertly recorded video from the office of the Ukraine-Turkey charitable foundation in Ternopil, which was founded by Liudmyla Marchenko. This foundation was used to organize the illicit transport of men abroad under the guise of volunteer work.
In the video, the lawmaker's aide, Anastasiia Kolesnyk, provides consultation on documents for going abroad, stating that a 'person is entered into the database as a volunteer and may not return.' Furthermore, she emphasized that 'the situation at the border has changed, so the price is now $6,000–6,500.'
This case highlights the critical importance of fighting corruption in Ukraine, especially during wartime when public trust and resources are paramount. The court's ruling demonstrates a zero-tolerance approach to corrupt actions within state institutions and sends a strong signal to other officials that abuse of power and bribery will not go unpunished.
The recent conviction of MP Liudmyla Marchenko underscores the ongoing battle against corruption in Ukraine, particularly as the nation navigates wartime challenges. For further insights into the implications of this case and the legal proceedings that led to her two-year prison sentence, you can read more about the details surrounding her bribery activities here.