The High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine has changed the preventive measure for the former deputy head of the President’s Office, as reported by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office. The agency does not disclose the name of the suspect, but based on circumstances and media reports, it is likely referring to Andriy Smyrnov.
This is reported by Kyiv24
According to information, the investigating judge of VAKS partially granted the request of detectives from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, which was approved by the SAP prosecutor. As a result, the suspect was chosen to be held in custody with an alternative of posting 18 million hryvnias in bail.
“The individual is also subject to relevant procedural obligations”
This case pertains to the investigation into Smyrnov’s alleged receipt of illegal benefits amounting to 100 thousand US dollars and the legalization of property acquired through criminal means.
Charges and Defense Position
Public broadcaster Suspilne reports from the courtroom that the prosecution requested a detention with bail set at over 20 million hryvnias. Meanwhile, the defense of the former official claims that the investigation has not presented evidence of money laundering and that the request for detention is unfounded.
Smyrnov himself stated in a comment that he “will prove his innocence” and added that he “has his own beliefs and suspicions about those behind this, but believes that it should not be discussed”.
In May 2024, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office informed the former deputy head of the President’s Office of suspicion of illegal enrichment. At that time, a preventive measure in the form of bail of 10 million hryvnias was chosen, which he quickly posted.
According to the investigation, the official acquired assets worth 17.1 million hryvnias while having savings and an official income of over 1.3 million hryvnias. The value of the acquired property, which represents the difference between income and assets, is calculated at 15.7 million hryvnias. The assets include two cars (Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen), two motorcycles (Honda, BMW), three parking spaces in Kyiv, an apartment in Lviv, and a plot of land in Transcarpathia.
After being served with the suspicion, Smyrnov commented to “Ukrainian Truth” that he is “confident in his righteousness and will prove it by all available means”.
Andriy Smyrnov was appointed deputy head of the President’s Office in September 2019. On March 29, 2024, President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed him from this position without stating the reasons for the personnel changes.