Ukrainian Lawmaker Brings Pork Fat to Court Hearing, Then Granted $10 Million Bail

The Case Involving Mykola Tyshchenko

According to Главком: Mykola Tyshchenko, a Ukrainian parliament member, made headlines when he showed up at a meeting of the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) carrying a piece of pork fat. After the session ended, he invited journalists to smell the item. This unusual display took place as the court was deciding on a preventive measure for Tyshchenko, ultimately setting bail at 10 million hryvnias. The lawmaker stated he already had part of the bail money ready, despite earlier claiming he lacked the funds to pay.

On July 3, 2026, the HACC ruled on Tyshchenko's preventive measure, ordering a 10-million-hryvnia bail. Earlier, on June 29, Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) had formally notified Tyshchenko of suspicion in soliciting an illegal benefit, money laundering, and filing false information in his asset declaration. In August 2023, Tyshchenko allegedly asked an individual for an improper advantage exceeding 1 million US dollars. He reportedly promised to use his authority to interfere with call center operations, though he ultimately did not receive the illicit benefit.

Tyshchenko's Legal Troubles

Beyond this case, Tyshchenko is also implicated in a separate investigation concerning the unlawful detention of Dmytro Mazokha. In May, the Shevchenkivskyi District Court in Dnipro extended the preventive measure for both Tyshchenko and Bohdan Pysarenko, signaling ongoing legal challenges for the deputy. The situation surrounding Mykola Tyshchenko remains tense, given the multiple charges and close scrutiny from law enforcement agencies.

This incident underscores the difficult position Tyshchenko finds himself in due to serious legal accusations.

Drawing attention through provocative gestures may reflect his attempts to maintain popularity among voters despite numerous setbacks. At the same time, his legal issues could significantly impact his political career and public trust in Ukraine's state institutions.

The ongoing legal issues surrounding Mykola Tyshchenko are not limited to the recent court appearance involving pork fat. He is also facing serious allegations related to an extortion scheme that reportedly involved demands for over $1 million. This adds another layer of complexity to his already precarious situation with law enforcement.