MP Odarchenko sentenced to 8 years in absentia for attempting to bribe leadership of Restoration Ministry
MP from the Servant of the People faction Andriy Odarchenko, who was put on the state and international wanted list, was sentenced to eight years in prison in absentia for attempting to provide an undue benefit to head of the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development Mustafa Nayyem.
"Attempt to bribe the leadership of the Ministry of Restoration: fugitive MP sentenced to eight years in prison," the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) said in a statement on its Telegram channel on Thursday.
According to SAPO, on November 14, the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) announced a guilty verdict against the MP of the ninth convocation, who was exposed for providing an undue benefit to the head of the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine.
"The court took into account the evidence collected during the pretrial investigation by NABU detectives and SAPO prosecutors, and found the MP guilty of committing a crime under Part 4 of Article 369 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. According to the court's verdict, the MP was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment with confiscation of property and deprivation of the right to hold certain positions for a period of three years," the SAPO statement said.
The HACC verdict can be appealed within 30 days in an appellate court.
The SAPO statement does not indicate the name of the fugitive MP, it is Odarchenko.
It was previously reported that SAPO initiated a search for MP Odarchenko, who failed to appear before the HACC on September 18, 2024. According to the prosecutor's office, the MP did not inform the court or the prosecutor about the reasons for his failure to appear.
On September 19, the HACC announced a state and international search for Odarchenko, who is accused of providing an undue benefit to the head of the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development, Mustafa Nayyem. According to investigators, Odarchenko gave a bribe equivalent to $50,000 for assistance in allocating funds for the repair of a university under his control.
After the announcement, the court ruled to hear Odarchenko's case in absentia - in a special court proceeding.
On September 23, the HACC arrested Odarchenko in absentia, accused of bribing a top official, and collected UAH 15 million of bail posted for him.
According to recent data, the MP has left the country.
According to Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk, the parliament did not give Odarchenko any permission to cross the state border.