Court upholds pre-trial measure for ex-Deputy PM Stefanishyna

The Appellate Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court has left unchanged the pre-trial measure for former Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olga Stefanishyna. She must remain under a 6 million hryvnia bail.

The defense side challenged the decision of the investigating judge of the HACC, but the Appellate Chamber declined to change it. Thus, the previously determined bail amount and procedural obligations imposed on Stefanishyna remain in force.

The pre-trial measure for Stefanishyna was approved on August 6 in criminal proceedings concerning alleged unlawful enrichment and false declaration. NABU and SAPO served her with a notice of suspicion the day before.

According to investigators, Stefanishyna's expenditures and assets acquired over approximately a year and a half did not match her official income and existing savings. The SAPO prosecutor during the consideration of the measure estimated the value of such assets at about 13.9 million hryvnia.

The investigation, in particular, alleges that Stefanishyna did not declare two one-room apartments in Kyiv and related repair costs. Law enforcement officers are also examining payment for rent of another residence, use of a Mercedes-Benz car, spending on air tickets and medical treatment for her mother.

The defense side disagreed both with the type of pre-trial measure and the bail amount and appealed to the Appellate Chamber of the HACC.

Initially, Stefanishyna stated that she did not have the necessary 6 million hryvnia. Later, she announced that her former business colleagues were prepared to provide the money. On August 13, the HACC confirmed the posting of the full bail amount for the ex-official.

Bail does not constitute an admission of guilt and serves as a measure to ensure the suspect fulfills procedural obligations. Stefanishyna must appear upon call by detectives, prosecutors and the court, report changes of residence and comply with other court-set requirements.

The investigation is ongoing. Olga Stefanishyna is considered innocent until her guilt is proven in accordance with the procedure established by law and confirmed by a court conviction.

Based on materials from: Appellate Chamber of the HACC