Today the Appeals Chamber panel opened its review of the appeals against the verdict in the case of MP Liudmyla Marchenko, convicted of accepting bribes in exchange for facilitating two men's right to travel abroad.
The HACC Appeals Chamber heard arguments from both sides. Marchenko's defense insisted there was no criminal offense in her actions and cited numerous procedural violations by the prosecution. One lawyer argued that the objective and subjective elements of the offense are absent: his client did not know Bondziukh and Hrytsio, gave no instructions regarding these men, and received no money from them — which rules out direct intent. He stressed that the first-instance verdict rests on inadmissible evidence and that the pre-trial investigation was extended in breach of procedural law. The defense also argued that the first-instance court relied on a number of unexamined documents with which the defense was never acquainted.
A second defense lawyer described the indictment as insufficiently specific and alleged a violation of the right to review case materials under Article 290 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
On these grounds, the lawyers are seeking: in the first appeal — annulment of the verdict and closure of the proceedings; in the second — annulment of the verdict and remittal for re-examination by the first-instance court.
The defense of the other defendant — Marchenko's assistant Anastasiia Kolesnik — also sought full annulment of the verdict and a fresh hearing. Her lawyer alleged that the first-instance panel was improperly composed due to signs of unauthorized interference by court staff in the automated case distribution system, which the defense characterized as a serious violation.
The prosecutor considers both Marchenko and Kolesnik guilty and argued that the sentence should be harsher — replacing the 2-year imprisonment term with 5 years, the maximum provided for trading in influence. The prosecutor also opposed all three appeals filed by Marchenko's and Kolesnik's defense teams.
The two previous hearings — on June 2 and June 9 — did not take place due to Marchenko's absence. Her reason for not attending the June 9 hearing — participation in a Verkhovna Rada committee session where she serves as Deputy Chair — was ruled unjustified, after which the panel ordered her compelled appearance.
On March 19, 2026, the HACC found MP Liudmyla Marchenko and her assistant Anastasiia Kolesnik guilty of trading in influence and sentenced each to 2 years' imprisonment. Additional penalties imposed were: a 3-year ban on holding positions in state and local government bodies for Marchenko, and a 3-year ban on holding positions in organizations dealing with border crossing permits for Kolesnik.
