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USD 1 million bribe: the case of Yurii Hrymchak, former Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories

  • Date of commencement of the case: 25/05/2020
  • Stage of criminal proceedings: Execution of sentence
  • Verdict type: Indictiment
  • Punishment type: Imprisonment
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USD 1 million bribe: the case of Yurii Hrymchak, former Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories USD 1 million bribe: the case of Yurii Hrymchak, former Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories

Case description

On February 23, 2022, the HACC found Yurii Hrymchak, former Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories, guilty of promising a private company to collect a debt from another company in court for USD 100,000. He was sentenced to 10 years with full confiscation of property. 

In August 2019, the SSU, the NABU, and the PGO detained Yurii Hrymchak, former Deputy Minister for the Temporarily Occupied Territories, and Ihor Ovdiyenko, his assistant, while receiving part of a USD 480,000 bribe. 

 

The total amount of the bribe was estimated at USD 1.1 million. In return for this money, the former official allegedly promised to ensure the approval of project documentation for construction works on the territory of Kyiv's cultural heritage, as well as to resolve a civil claim in the Supreme Court for a separate tranche of USD 100,000 (later the amount was reduced to USD 80,000).

According to the investigation, before the arrest, Hrymchak and his assistant had already received two tranches of USD 30,000 and USD 50,000, some of which were later discovered by law enforcement officers. The larger bribe was allegedly to be distributed among the heads and officials of the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Justice, the Kyiv City State Administration, and others.

The agencies reacted quickly: The Ministry of Culture denied any involvement in the approval of any construction projects, and the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories stated that Hrymchak's detention was not related to his work in the agency and was not related to his duties as deputy minister.

On August 19, 2019, the case was investigated by the SBI, and two months later, the Prosecutor General's Office assigned jurisdiction to the NABU. This procedural maneuver gave the defense a reason to claim significant violations of jurisdiction during the investigation.

In the summer of 2020, the European Court of Human Rights opened a case against Ukraine following a statement of Yurii Hrymchak regarding violations of Article 5, clauses 1 and 2, of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. In the lawsuit, Hrymchak asked the ECHR to confirm the violation of his right to liberty and security of person and to explain the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him. The former official's position was based on the fact that he was allegedly being illegally prosecuted, and that the case against him was falsified and politicized. 

The case against Ihor Ovdiyenko, Hrymchak's assistant and relative, was closed due to the death of the accused person. However, Hrymchak's actions were classified under Article 190, part 4; Article 27, part 4; Article 15, part 2; Article 369, part 3, Article 27, part 3; Article 15, part 2; Article 369, part 4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The HACC found him guilty and sentenced him to 10 years in prison with confiscation of all his property.

  • Proceeding No.: 22019270000000053
  • Case No.: 991/4110/20 show all cases hide other cases
  • Other court cases No.: 991/1463/19, 757/53238/19-к, 757/53255/19-к, 757/53538/19-к, 991/801/20, 991/977/20, 991/1098/20, 991/1179/20, 991/1195/20, 991/2870/20, 991/2328/20, 991/2871/20, 991/7537/20
  • Incriminated: Article 369, part 3, Article 369, part 4, Article 369-2, part 3, Article 190, part 4
Instance Key parties Instance /Key parties:
CCC
03/04/2024

Panel of judges: Holubytskyi S.S., Antoniuk N.O., Bushchenko A.P.

HACC AC
23/04/2021

Panel of judges: Chorna V.V., Kaluhina I.O., Nykyforov A.S.

HACC
25/05/2020

Panel of judges: Maslov V.V., Strohyi I.L., Fedorak L.M.

Lawyer: Melnyka D.M., Matiash T.V., Ushkanenko E.O., Mashkov O.B., Kasharskyi F.V., Moshkov O.B.

Prosecutor: Kozachyna S.S., Makar O.I.

HACC AC
18/11/2019

Panel of judges: Mykhailenko D.H., Hlotov M.S., Hlotov M.S., Chornenka D.S., Semennykov O.Yu.

Lawyer: Melnyka D.M., Matiash T.V.

Prosecutor: Makar O.I.

HACC
05/11/2019

Panel of judges: Shyroka K.Yu., Khamzin T.R.

Lawyer: Matiash T.V., Melnyka D.M.

Prosecutor: Makar O.I.

Infographics

THE CASE OF YURII HRYMCHAK

Yurii Hrymchak, former minister of the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories, promised a private company to collect a debt from another company in court for USD 100,000. The total amount of the bribe, for which Hrymchak also promised to secure approval of a construction project on the territory of Kyiv's cultural heritage, was estimated at USD 1.1 million.

  • August 14, 2019
    Hrymchak and Ovdiyenko, his assistant, were caught red-handed while receiving a USD 480,000 bribe
  • August 15, 2019
    Hrymchak was served with a suspicion notice of fraud on a large scale. The investigation was conducted jointly by the NABU, the SSU, and the PGO
  • August 16, 2019
    the court took Hrymchak into custody with an alternative of UAH 6 million bail, and the next day the former official was taken to jail
  • January 30, 2020
    Hrymchak was released from custody and placed under round-the-clock house arrest
  • July 1, 2020
    the ECHR opened a case against Ukraine on Hrymchak's statement for violations of Article 5, clauses 1 and 2, of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights
  • February 15, 2021
    Hrymchak's electronic bracelet and other obligations before the court were lifted due to their expiration
  • March 30, 2021
    the HACC closed the case against Ihor Ovdiyenko, Hrymchak's aide, due to his death
  • February 23, 2022
    the HACC found Hrymchak guilty and sent him to prison for 10 years with confiscation of all his property

Decisions from the Register

Case No. Court Decision date Decision type
991/1463/19 HACC 05/11/2019 Decision on remote court proceedings
991/1463/19 HACC 06/11/2019 On the extension of the period of pre-trial investigation of criminal proceedings
991/1463/19 HACC 06/11/2019 On the extension of the period of pre-trial investigation of criminal proceedings
991/1463/19 HACC 11/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 11/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 12/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 12/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 13/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 13/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 13/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 13/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 15/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 15/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC AC 18/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC AC 18/11/2019 Completion of the preparation and appointment of the appeal hearing
991/1463/19 HACC AC 18/11/2019 Completion of the preparation and appointment of the appeal hearing
991/1463/19 HACC AC 18/11/2019
757/53238/19-к HACC AC 21/11/2019
757/53238/19-к HACC AC 21/11/2019 Completion of the preparation and appointment of the appeal hearing
991/1463/19 HACC AC 21/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC AC 21/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC AC 21/11/2019 Separate opinion of the HACC AC judge
991/1463/19 HACC AC 21/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 26/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 26/11/2019
757/53238/19-к HACC AC 26/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 26/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 26/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC AC 27/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC AC 27/11/2019
757/53255/19-к HACC AC 28/11/2019
757/53255/19-к HACC AC 28/11/2019 Completion of the preparation and appointment of the appeal hearing
757/53238/19-к HACC AC 29/11/2019
757/53238/19-к HACC AC 29/11/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 02/12/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 02/12/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 02/12/2019
991/1463/19 HACC AC 02/12/2019 Completion of the preparation and appointment of the appeal hearing
991/1463/19 HACC AC 02/12/2019 Completion of the preparation and appointment of the appeal hearing
757/53255/19-к HACC AC 03/12/2019
991/1463/19 HACC AC 05/12/2019
757/53538/19-к HACC AC 05/12/2019 Completion of the preparation and appointment of the appeal hearing
991/1463/19 HACC AC 05/12/2019
757/53255/19-к HACC AC 06/12/2019
757/53538/19-к HACC AC 09/12/2019
757/53255/19-к HACC AC 09/12/2019
757/53538/19-к HACC AC 09/12/2019
757/53255/19-к HACC AC 09/12/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 10/12/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 11/12/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 11/12/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 16/12/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 16/12/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 16/12/2019
991/1463/19 HACC AC 16/12/2019
991/1463/19 HACC AC 16/12/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 19/12/2019 On changing the interim measure for the accused
991/1463/19 HACC 19/12/2019 On changing the interim measure for the accused
991/1463/19 HACC 24/12/2019
991/1463/19 HACC 24/12/2019
991/1463/19 HACC AC 08/01/2020
991/1463/19 HACC AC 08/01/2020 Completion of the preparation and appointment of the appeal hearing
991/1463/19 HACC AC 13/01/2020
991/1463/19 HACC AC 15/01/2020
991/1463/19 HACC AC 15/01/2020 Separate opinion of the HACC AC judge
991/1463/19 HACC AC 15/01/2020
991/801/20 HACC 30/01/2020 Decision to change the interim measure
991/801/20 HACC 30/01/2020 Decision to change the interim measure
991/801/20 HACC AC 05/02/2020 Completion of the preparation and appointment of the appeal hearing
991/977/20 HACC 07/02/2020 Decision on the consideration of a recusal
991/977/20 HACC 07/02/2020 On the extension of the period of pre-trial investigation of criminal proceedings
991/977/20 HACC 07/02/2020 On the extension of the period of pre-trial investigation of criminal proceedings
991/1098/20 HACC 07/02/2020 Decision on the consideration of a recusal
991/1098/20 HACC 07/02/2020
991/1098/20 HACC 07/02/2020
991/1098/20 HACC 07/02/2020 Decision on the consideration of a recusal
991/801/20 HACC AC 10/02/2020
991/801/20 HACC AC 10/02/2020
991/977/20 HACC 11/02/2020
991/1179/20 HACC 13/02/2020 Decision on the consideration of a recusal
991/1179/20 HACC 13/02/2020 Decision on the consideration of a recusal
991/1195/20 HACC 13/02/2020
991/1195/20 HACC 13/02/2020
991/1098/20 HACC AC 14/02/2020 Completion of the preparation and appointment of the appeal hearing
991/1195/20 HACC AC 24/02/2020 Completion of the preparation and appointment of the appeal hearing
991/1195/20 HACC 25/02/2020
991/1195/20 HACC AC 06/03/2020
991/1098/20 HACC AC 06/03/2020
991/1195/20 HACC AC 06/03/2020
991/1098/20 HACC AC 06/03/2020
991/2870/20 HACC 07/04/2020
991/2870/20 HACC 07/04/2020
991/2870/20 HACC 07/04/2020
991/2328/20 HACC 09/04/2020
991/2871/20 HACC 09/04/2020
991/2871/20 HACC 09/04/2020
991/2328/20 HACC 09/04/2020
991/4110/20 HACC 25/05/2020 On the appointment of a preparatory court hearing
991/4110/20 HACC 26/05/2020 Decision on the refusal/granting of the motion for the return of the indictment
991/4110/20 HACC 26/05/2020 On the appointment of a trial
991/4110/20 HACC 26/05/2020 On the appointment of a trial
991/4110/20 HACC 26/05/2020 Decision on the refusal/granting of the motion for the return of the indictment
991/4110/20 HACC 12/06/2020 On changing the interim measure for the accused
991/4110/20 HACC 12/06/2020 On changing the interim measure for the accused
991/4110/20 HACC 09/07/2020
991/4110/20 HACC 09/07/2020
991/4110/20 HACC 03/09/2020
991/4110/20 HACC 03/09/2020
991/4110/20 HACC 08/09/2020 On the suspension of court proceedings
991/4110/20 HACC 08/09/2020 On the suspension of court proceedings
991/7537/20 HACC 15/10/2020 On the appointment of a trial
991/4110/20 HACC 16/10/2020 Decision on the consideration of a recusal
991/4110/20 HACC 16/10/2020
991/4110/20 HACC 16/10/2020
991/4110/20 HACC 16/10/2020 Decision on the consideration of a recusal
991/4110/20 HACC 14/12/2020
991/4110/20 HACC 14/12/2020
991/7537/20 HACC 30/12/2020 Decision on the consideration of a recusal
991/7537/20 HACC 30/12/2020 Decision on the consideration of a recusal
991/4110/20 HACC 22/01/2021 Decision on the consideration of a recusal
991/4110/20 HACC 22/01/2021 Decision on the consideration of a recusal
991/4110/20 HACC 10/02/2021 Decision on temporary access
991/4110/20 HACC 10/02/2021 Decision on temporary access
991/7537/20 HACC 30/03/2021 Decision on closing the criminal proceedings
991/7537/20 HACC 30/03/2021 Decision on closing the criminal proceedings
991/7537/20 HACC AC 13/04/2021
991/7537/20 HACC AC 15/04/2021 Decision on renewal of the term of appeal
991/7537/20 HACC AC 15/04/2021 Decision on renewal of the term of appeal
991/7537/20 HACC AC 23/04/2021 On the refusal to open appeal proceedings
991/4110/20 HACC 26/03/2022 Verdicts
991/4110/20 HACC AC 14/06/2022 On leaving the appeal without action
991/4110/20 HACC AC 20/07/2022
991/4110/20 HACC AC 09/08/2022 On the return of the appeal
991/4110/20 HACC AC 09/08/2022 On the return of the appeal
991/4110/20 HACC AC 06/09/2022
991/4110/20 HACC AC 17/10/2022 Opening of appeal proceedings
991/4110/20 HACC AC 17/10/2022
991/4110/20 HACC AC 17/10/2022
991/4110/20 HACC AC 17/10/2022 Opening of appeal proceedings
991/4110/20 HACC AC 07/11/2022 Completion of the preparation and appointment of the appeal hearing
991/4110/20 HACC AC 23/11/2022
991/4110/20 HACC AC 23/11/2022
991/4110/20 HACC AC 14/02/2023
991/4110/20 HACC AC 14/02/2023
991/4110/20 HACC AC 19/12/2023 On non-granting of the appeal and leaving the verdict unchanged
991/4110/20 HACC AC 19/12/2023 On non-granting of the appeal and leaving the verdict unchanged
991/4110/20 CCC 20/03/2024 On leaving the cassation appeal without motion
991/4110/20 CCC 03/04/2024 Decision on the reclamation of materials
991/4110/20 CCC 03/04/2024 On the opening of cassation proceedings
991/4110/20 CCC 19/07/2024 On the completion of preparation and appointment of the cassation hearing