On March 16, 2026, at the HACC Appeals Chamber, Roman Nasirov completed his closing argument in the case concerning his alleged role in Onyshchenko’s “gas scheme.”

During his address, Nasirov said that the court of first instance had merely created the appearance of hearing the case and had sought to wrap it up quickly before the statute of limitations expired. According to Nasirov, the verdict was delivered in haste and contained errors. He also referred to the events of 2017 and claimed that the pre-trial investigation body had artificially manufactured the criminal proceedings. In his opinion, the prosecution failed to present any evidence proving his guilt. 

Nasirov also stressed what he described as the possible bias of the trial court stemming from his official position, and said that the court had failed to examine the defense’s evidence and had not properly considered numerous motions for recusal. He maintained that the defense had committed no procedural abuses.

Finally, he asked the court to overturn the verdict as unlawful and unfounded and to close the criminal proceedings due to the absence of the elements of a criminal offense. He also argued that the criminal offense itself had never occurred.

At this point, all parties to the proceedings except the prosecutor have delivered their closing arguments. The next hearing is scheduled for March 18.

Nasirov is a defendant in the so-called Onyshchenko “gas case.” He is accused of unlawfully granting installment plans for tax debt and subsoil-use rent payments to companies linked to Onyshchenko. The state sustained losses of approximately UAH 2 billion. In October 2025, the HACC sentenced Nasirov to six years’ imprisonment. The case had been under consideration by HACC since 2019.