Yanukovych, son to be probed in absentia, court rules

The High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) of Ukraine has allowed a special pre-trial investigation into former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and his son Oleksandr.

This was reported by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) on Facebook, according to Ukrinform.

"On August 25, 2021, the HACC Investigating Judge granted a NABU (National Anti-corruption Bureau – ed.) detective's motion, approved by a SAPO Prosecutor, to allow a special pre-trial investigation (in absentia) of the former owner of the Mezhyhirya state residence and his son, both suspected of illegally appropriating the complex in Vyshhorod district. The damage inflicted to the state exceeds UAH 500 million," the statement reads.

It is noted that the move will allow completing the pre-trial investigation despite the fact that the suspects have been hiding from justice in the territory of a state the Verkhovna Rada recognized as an aggressor power.

As reported, in late July 2021, NABU and SAPO filed a motion with the High Anti-Corruption Court to remand in custody ex-president Viktor Yanukovych and his son Oleksandr.

Earlier, the Prosecutor General's Office investigated the case of the Mezhyhirya residence appropriation. In the framework of the inquiry, ex-president Viktor Yanukovych was charged in absentia.

Subsequently, after the PGO lost the investigative role, the case was handed to NABU and SAPO.

On January 19 this year, the HACC Appeals Chamber dismissed a motion to remand Viktor Yanukovych and his son Oleksandr.

According to the inquiry, Oleksandr Yanukovych masterminded the founding and acquisition of private companies in order to cover up illegal activities on seizing the Mezhyhirya. His father, Viktor Yanukovych, holding the position of prime minister in 2007, is believed to be complicit in the crime by abusing office to help the son seize state property.

Oleksandr Yanukovych is also suspected of money laundering.

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