On September 18, the HACC AC overturned the decision of the investigating judge, who did not allow the investigation into Hranovskyi’s case in his absence, and issued a new ruling allowing a special pre-trial investigation.
Former MP Oleksandr Hranovskyi is currently abroad and, according to the prosecution, is hiding from pre-trial investigation bodies and the court. That is why a motion for an in-absentia pre-trial investigation was filed. Meanwhile, Hranovskyi is already on the international wanted list and arrested in absentia.
First, the case was heard by the first instance for almost six months and then by the appellate instance for the same amount of time. It took the HACC AC from April 23 to September 4 to examine evidence in this case.
In general, Hranovskyi's case has been under investigation for almost 9 years, and now the proceedings have been suspended as the prosecution is awaiting a response from foreign law enforcement colleagues and cannot conduct the investigation in absentia.
At the hearing, presiding judge Mykola Hlotov even joked that the prosecutor wanted to consider this case until he retired and then pass it on to his successors.
The defense counsel believes that the period of pre-trial investigation expired in the case due to the “Lozovyi’s amendments,” and also sees a political side to the case.
Interestingly, on August 20, investigative judge Volodymyr Voronko overturned the suspicion notice to Hranovskyi altogether. This decision has not yet entered into force; the HACC AC will consider the prosecutor's appeal on September 24.
Former MP Oleksandr Hranovskyi allegedly organized the sale of raw materials of the Odesa Portside Plant at reduced prices. The plant failed to receive UAH 93 million in revenue (USD 4 million).