Former Prosecutor Verbytskyi on "Batkivshchyna": Tymoshenko's party has become a "safe haven" for a suspect in cases of illicit enrichment
Former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi, who resigned amid scandal following investigations into illicit enrichment, has officially launched his political career. The Odesa regional branch of the All-Ukrainian Union “Batkivshchyna” confirmed in response to a request from UA.News that Verbytskyi is now a member of Yulia Tymoshenko’s party.
“The charter does not prohibit it”: how a prosecutor with a Porsche became a party organizer
In response to a request, the UA.News editorial team received a reply from Oleg Radkovsky, head of the Odessa regional organization, confirming that former prosecutor Dmytro Anatoliyovych Verbytskyi, who is suspected of illicit enrichment, has indeed joined the organization based on a personal application.
The party members’ explanation regarding “ethical filters” and the reputation of their new colleague appears particularly cynical. The Odessa organization stated that its Charter “contains no restrictions” on membership for individuals with such a background. Moreover, the party officially absolved itself of responsibility for verifying the backgrounds of its members, noting that verifying applicants’ information “is not part of their functional duties.”
Presumption of innocence for “their own”
When asked by journalists about Verbytskyi’s luxury property—a cottage in the town of “Konik” purchased for one-sixth of its market value, and a Porsche for his partner—the “Batkivshchyna” party responded with standard legalese. Yulia Tymoshenko’s party called the journalists’ investigation “speculative judgments” and reminded everyone of the presumption of innocence.
It appears that assets in Turkey and assets that do not correspond to official income—which “Schemes” previously reported on—do not pose an obstacle to political partnership for the Odessa branch of the BYuT. Therefore, it is not surprising that the BYuT party may be covering for corrupt officials.
No comment on the connections
Confirmation of Verbytsky’s party membership only reinforces information from our sources regarding his close cooperation with the head of the Odesa city organization, Dmytro Zheman. However, in an official response, the Odessa BYuT branch decided “not to comment” on the nature of the ties between Verbytskyi and Zheman, stating that this information is not available to them.
UA.News emphasizes: the inclusion of individuals with such a “trail” of investigations by the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) and the National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NAZK) into the ranks of parliamentary parties indicates a complete lack of reputational hygiene within the Odessa branch of “Batkivshchyna.” We continue to monitor what specific position within the party is being prepared for the former prosecutor, who so conveniently hid under the party’s banner to evade criminal proceedings.
