On July 3, one of the most sensational hearings in recent times is taking place at the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC). The court is set to decide on a preventive measure for Ukrainian People's Deputy Nikolai Tishchenko. The case being heard in the courtroom concerns accusations of demanding a multi-million dollar bribe, laundering large sums, and falsifying declarations.

The Scheme: Fighting Call Centers for a Million Dollars

According to the investigation, the incident occurred back in August 2023. The deputy, using his image as a fighter against illegal schemes, allegedly demanded a sum of 1 million US dollars from an entrepreneur he considered the organizer of a network of call centers. In exchange for this money, Tishchenko, according to investigators, promised to "resolve the issue" regarding the activities of this network. Thus, public rhetoric about fighting corruption and shadow business, according to the NABU version, became a tool for personal enrichment.

Fictitious Gifts and False Declarations

The second block of accusations concerns financial fraud. The investigation claims that Tishchenko laundered 12.6 million hryvnias. To do this, a fictitious gift agreement was drawn up with his former wife. After receiving the funds, the deputy declared them as his income. Prosecutors believe that in this way, Tishchenko intentionally entered knowingly unreliable information into the declaration, concealing the real sources of the assets.

Prosecution Demands: Arrest or Bail

During the hearing, prosecutor of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) Serhiy Podhorets voiced the position of the prosecution. The prosecution insists on the preventive measure of detention. However, the prosecution offered an alternative — the payment of a monetary bail.

"We ask to choose the preventive measure in the form of detention. As an alternative — to determine the amount of bail in the amount of more than 19 million hryvnias," Podhorets stated in court.

Qualification of Acts

The actions of the People's Deputy are qualified under three articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

  • Part 4 of Article 369 (Acceptance of a bribe);
  • Part 2 of Article 209 (Laundering of proceeds obtained by criminal activity);
  • Part 2 of Article 366-2 (Entering knowingly unreliable information into a declaration).

Previously, NABU and SAP officially notified Tishchenko of the suspicion. The hearing on July 3 will be a key moment determining the deputy's status during the investigation: will he remain free on bail or be placed in custody.