Today, closing arguments concluded in the appeal proceedings challenging the verdict against MP Anatolii Hunko. Appeals were filed by both sides—the prosecution and the defense.

The appeal concerns the HACC verdict of March 25, 2025, which found Hunko guilty of attempted fraud and inciting an entrepreneur to give a bribe. Under that verdict, the HACC sentenced the MP to seven years’ imprisonment, with confiscation of all property belonging to him and a three-year ban on being elected to public office or holding civil service positions. The court applied Article 15(2), Article 28(2), and Article 190(4), as well as Article 15(2) and Article 369(4) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

At today’s hearing, one of Hunko’s defense lawyers asked the court to acquit him on the attempted fraud charge and to reclassify the charge from Article 369 to Article 369-2(2) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (abuse of influence). 

Another defense lawyer argued that the applicable provision in this case is abuse of influence (Article 369-2) rather than fraud (Article 190) and bribing a public official (Article 369), which, in the lawyer’s view, are mutually exclusive. He insisted there had been entrapment and, on that basis, asked the court to acquit Hunko. 

A third defense lawyer argued that HACC issued a verdict outside the scope of the charges, and that the legal classification in the verdict differed from that set out in the indictment. He therefore asked the court to overturn the verdict and remit the case for a new trial in the first instance.

The prosecutor asked the court to dismiss the defense appeals and to amend the HACC verdict by aligning it with the indictment as to the relevant part of Article 369, and to determine the term of punishment accordingly.

The MP will deliver his final statement at the next hearing on February 9. After that, the AC HACC panel will retire to the deliberation room to render its decision.