Skidanchuk, a lawmaker from Ivano-Frankivsk, was taken into custody in connection with a bribery case
On September 2, the Ivano-Frankivsk City Court remanded City Council member Vasyl Skidanchuk into custody; he is suspected of accepting a 60,000 UAH bribe. The court ordered two months of pretrial detention but allowed him to be released on bail of 266,000 hryvnias. Skidanchuk himself denies having demanded the money and stated that he is ready to cooperate with the investigation.
The Ivano-Frankivsk City Court imposed a pretrial measure on Ivano-Frankivsk City Council member Vasyl Skidanchuk, who is suspected of bribery. The court issued its ruling on Wednesday, September 2. This was reported by the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
Skidanchuk was remanded in custody for two months. At the same time, the court set an alternative—bail in the amount of 266,000 UAH. The case concerns 60,000 UAH, which, according to investigators, the council member received as a bribe.
What Is the Deputy Suspected Of?
Vasyl Skidanchuk is a member of the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council representing the “Svoboda” party. He also heads the state institution “411 Office of the Chief of Works” under the State Property Fund of Ukraine. According to investigators, the council member may have demanded monthly cash payments from a tenant of warehouse premises.
Specifically, these were so-called kickbacks—money that, according to law enforcement, was to be regularly handed over to the official in exchange for resolving issues related to the lease. Law enforcement officers detained Skidanchuk at the state agency’s office. According to the investigation, this occurred immediately after he received 60,000 hryvnias. These circumstances formed the basis for the charges in the criminal case.
The lawmaker denies everything
During the court hearing, Skidanchuk did not admit to demanding money. He stated that he had never engaged in extortion and believes that the heightened attention to the case may be related to his status as a deputy. “In fact, I did not demand any money from anyone. What does that have to do with me? I’ve never done anything like that,” Skidanchuk said during the hearing.
According to the council member, he is also ready to cooperate with the investigation. “I think it’s precisely because I’m a member of the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council that this much attention has been drawn to the case,” he said.
Skidanchuk also said that people allegedly approached him and provoked him into a situation that has now led to a criminal case. “And those people who approached me and provoked me into this incident that took place,” the council member said. At the same time, it is up to the investigation and the court to make a final assessment of these claims.
What the Court Decided
The court agreed that it was necessary to apply a preventive measure in the form of pretrial detention to Skidanchuk. However, the lawmaker will not necessarily remain in pretrial detention for the entire specified period. He may be released if a bail of 266,000 UAH is posted and he complies with the conditions imposed by the court.
The pretrial measure is necessary for the duration of the investigation. It does not mean that the court has already found Skidanchuk guilty. At this time, the lawmaker has the status of a suspect.
What punishment could he face?
Skidanchuk is charged under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which pertains to the receipt of an unlawful benefit by a public official. If guilt under this article is proven in court, the punishment could range from 5 to 10 years of imprisonment.
The article also provides for disqualification from holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities for up to three years, as well as the confiscation of property. However, at this stage, the case is based solely on suspicion. In accordance with the presumption of innocence, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt is proven in accordance with the law and established by a court conviction.
The investigation must now establish all the circumstances of the case, including the origin of the money, the circumstances of its transfer, and the deputy’s possible role in this situation. The court will subsequently evaluate the evidence gathered by law enforcement.
Thus, on September 2, the Ivano-Frankivsk City Court remanded Vasyl Skidanchuk into custody in connection with allegations that he may have received a 60,000 UAH bribe. An alternative for him was bail set at 266,000 UAH; the deputy himself denies extorting money and states his willingness to cooperate with the investigation. The regional prosecutor’s office was notified of the imposition of a preventive measure on the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council deputy.
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