On January 12, 2026, the High Anti-Corruption Court resumed the re-examination of the so-called “gas case” against former MP Oleksandr Onyshchenko and authorized special judicial proceedings in absentia against him and his alleged accomplice Olena Pavlenko. The trial will proceed without the defendants’ participation, as both have been placed on the wanted list.

The court also moved on to opening statements. The prosecutor stated that the defendants’ guilt is fully proven by the evidence collected, including materials from covert investigative actions. The defense argued that the indictment does not specify what exactly the defendants allegedly misappropriated and that the prosecution’s claims are based on assumptions. According to the defense, the elements of a criminal offense are absent in the actions of Onyshchenko and Pavlenko. 

At the next hearing, the court will proceed to the examination of evidence in the following order: written materials submitted by the prosecution, physical evidence, questioning of witnesses, review of the defense materials, and questioning of defense witnesses. 

The HACC previously sentenced former MP Oleksandr Onyshchenko to 15 years’ imprisonment. According to the investigation, between 2013 and 2016 Onyshchenko organized a scheme under which gas produced by Ukrgazvydobuvannya was sold to his companies on fictitious exchanges at below-market prices. As a result, Ukrgazvydobuvannya suffered losses exceeding UAH 740 million. 

However, the HACC Appeals Chamber overturned the verdict and referred the case for a new trial. More details are available in our material.