Today the HACC granted a motion by the defense of Yurii Pertsev, former deputy chair of the management board for commercial affairs at United Mining and Chemical Company JSC, who stood accused of aiding and abetting and of abuse of authority or official position.

The criminal proceedings against the other defendant, Ruslan Zhurylo, were suspended because of his mobilization in September 2023.

Pertsev's defense counsel argued that the prosecution had failed to prove his guilt. Since the 10-year limitation period expired on July 31, 2026, the defense moved to release him from criminal liability and to leave the Ministry of Economy's civil claim without consideration.

The prosecutor objected to the defense motion. He maintained that Pertsev had committed a grave crime and that the limitation period had not run out, because Pertsev had acted jointly with Zhurylo even after leaving the UMCC, right up to the end of 2016. By the prosecutor's reckoning, the limitation period therefore expires only on December 31, 2026.