Ex-Prosecutor Verbytsky’s Case Under Monitoring: Editorial Office Contacts NABU, SAP, Police, and Court
Dmytro Verbytsky, former Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine, was dismissed from his position almost two years ago amid high-profile journalistic investigations into his property and wealth.
Following the publication of a series of materials revealing possible illegal enrichment and a significant mismatch between his lifestyle and official income, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) on May 13, 2024, opened a criminal case under Article 368-5 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal enrichment). Since that time, no public suspicion has been announced against Verbytsky, no searches have been conducted, and no assets have been seized.
As part of the investigation, the editorial office of UA.NEWS sent official information requests to the authorities directly involved in the criminal proceedings, overseeing the process, and conducting judicial review of related cases.
NABU and SAP
According to information available to the editorial office, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine is conducting a pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings dated May 13, 2024, under the signs of Article 368-5 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal enrichment). Procedural supervision is carried out by prosecutors of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP).
The editorial office requested information from NABU and SAP regarding:
- the stage of the investigation;
- whether any individuals have been notified of suspicion;
- what procedural decisions have been made in the proceedings — to the extent that it does not harm the investigation.
Odesa Police — Case on Obstruction of Journalistic Activity
A separate request was sent to Odesa District Police Department No. 1 of the National Police of Ukraine in Odesa Oblast regarding criminal proceedings under Part 3 of Article 171 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The editorial office requested information on:
- the stage of the investigation;
- procedural decisions taken;
- assurance that the case is not prematurely closed without conducting necessary investigative actions.
Judicial Review
The editorial office is also monitoring administrative proceeding No. 320/749/25 in the Kyiv District Administrative Court, which challenges the conclusion of the National Agency for Prevention of Corruption (NAPC) regarding detected signs of a corruption offense and continues monitoring of lifestyle.
It is known that on January 14, 2025, the court opened simplified proceedings without summoning the parties. As of the time of preparing this material, no decision is available in the open registers.
In this regard, the editorial office sent a request to the court regarding:
- whether a decision has been made;
- possible consideration in closed session;
- publication of the decision in accordance with legal requirements.
Purpose of Journalistic Inquiries
Under martial law, society has an elevated demand for justice, and any signs of “freezing” cases against top officials pose a direct threat to trust in state institutions.
The editorial office of UA.NEWS is currently awaiting responses within the timeframes established by law. We are systematizing the data received and continue monitoring the court registry. We will report on every subsequent step taken by the law enforcement system.
Cases involving former officials should not end in silence. They must be concluded with decisions in a manner prescribed by law.
