UAH 30 million of losses to the state: the case of former Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan

UAH 30 million of losses to the state: the case of former Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan
Start of the trial 9 November 2020
Date of verdict 21 October 2021
Instance CCC
Stage of criminal proceedings Cassation proceedings

Former Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan was accused of causing the budget more than UAH 30 million losses as a result of his alleged illegal actions. The HACC acquitted the official, and the legality of the verdict was confirmed by other courts.

Volodymyr Omelyan served as Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine from 2016 to 2019. According to the investigation, in 2017, by his order, he reduced all port tariffs by 20%, except for the lighthouse dues, one of which brought revenue to the national budget. Allegedly, the Ministry of Finance warned Omelyan about the consequences of such a decision, and the minister had no right to reduce the administrative fee. 

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The consequences of Omelyan's actions were estimated at UAH 30.5 million in lost revenue to the national budget in 2018. The former official emphasized that he did this to increase cargo traffic and that the maritime industry grew by more than 20% in 2018–2019. The Ministry of Infrastructure later admitted that Omelyan's order had not achieved its goal.

Volodymyr Omelyan was in a public conflict with the leadership of the Presidential Office. The official claimed that the case against him was politically motivated and that the proceedings were opened after Omelyan refused to take the offered position in the Office and stop criticizing Zelenskyy and Yermak.

The former minister's actions were classified under Article 211, part 2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The court found no criminal offense in Omelyan's actions and acquitted him.

The appellate instance upheld the decision. In March 2023, the Supreme Court also upheld the acquittal.

Proceeding No. 52019000000000996
Case No. 991/9129/20
Date the hearing was scheduled 11/11/2020
Subject
  • Member of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine
Qualification
Article 211, part 2
Pre-trial cases №
  • 991/2120/19
  • 991/2951/20
  • 991/2952/20
  • 991/5199/20
  • 991/8668/20
Instance Key parties
CCC 10/10/2022 Panel of judges: Lahniuk M.M., Marynych V.K., Makarovets A.M.
HACC AC 24/11/2021 Panel of judges: Chorna V.V., Pavlyshyn O.F., Nykyforov A.S.
HACC 09/11/2020 Panel of judges: Fedorov O.V., Zadorozhna L.I., Shkodin Ya.V.
THE CASE VOLODYMYR OMELYAN
Cassation proceedings

Former Infrastructure Minister Omelyan was accused of reducing port tariffs, which caused the state more than 30 million in losses. Omelyan pleaded not guilty and was acquitted.

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    December 2017
    Omelyan issued an order reducing almost all port tariffs by 20%
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    June 19, 2020
    the NABU served Omelyan with a suspicion notice of committing illegal actions that caused UAH 30.5 million in losses to the national budget
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    June 25, 2020
    The court imposed an interim measure on Omelyan in the form of a personal commitment
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    October 18, 2021
    The HACC acquitted Omelyan, finding no crime in his actions
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    June 6, 2022
    The HACC Appeals Chamber upheld the verdict of the first instance
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    March 28, 2023
    the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the first instance court

Decisions from the Register


Video streams

18 October 2021