In bribery case, prosecutors push for 11-year prison sentence for Ukrainian MP

Prosecutor demands verdict in anti-corruption trial

According to САП: On 19 August 2026, the High Anti-Corruption Court convened to hear a case involving a member of the Ukrainian parliament of the ninth convocation. Along with another individual, the lawmaker is charged with accepting illicit benefits and inciting someone to provide those benefits. During closing arguments, a prosecutor from the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) requested a guilty verdict under Parts 4 of Articles 368, 27, and 369 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The prosecutor also sought a sentence of 11 years in prison, a three-year ban on holding positions related to state or local government functions, and confiscation of property.

Background of the case

According to investigators, the lawmaker allegedly used an intermediary to discreetly request $13,000 in unlawful benefits for introducing amendments to the draft law "On Waste Management." In addition, he reportedly asked for $200,000 to bribe members of the relevant parliamentary committee to secure a vote in favor of those amendments. In mid-August 2020, law enforcement officials documented the transfer and receipt of the first portion of the money via the intermediary. The second installment was scheduled for 26–27 August 2020, but further execution of the special operation was halted.

The intermediary-who served as an unofficial aide to the lawmaker-was notified of a suspicion on 10 September 2020, while the lawmaker himself received a suspicion notice on 17 September 2020. The indictment was submitted to court in August 2021, and the case has been under review since then.

Next steps and presumption of innocence

The next court session is set for 25 August 2026 at 12:30. As posited by Article 62 of Ukraine's Constitution, an individual is considered innocent until their guilt is proven by a court verdict following legal procedures. This case is part of Ukraine's broader anti-corruption campaign, which remains a pressing challenge for the country. Prosecuting high-ranking officials could help restore confidence in state institutions, and the public expects a transparent and fair judicial process that may shape anti-corruption policy going forward.