Case description
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.
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.
