The Verbytsky Case: Journalists Ask the Verkhovna Rada’s Temporary Investigation Commission to Investigate NABU and SAPO Over Delays in the Investigation
The editorial staff of the online media outlet UA.NEWS has appealed to Anastasia Radina, Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada’s Temporary Investigative Commission (TIC), requesting that she take parliamentary action regarding the possible delay in the investigation into the case of illicit enrichment involving former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi.
In their official appeal, the journalists ask the MP to send inquiries to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) to determine the reasons for the lack of charges in the criminal proceedings, which have been ongoing for over two years.
Parliamentary Oversight of the Investigation
The UA.NEWS editorial team calls on Anastasia Radina to take measures within her authority as deputy chair of the Temporary Investigative Commission on the investigation of possible illegal actions by officials that could have harmed Ukraine’s economic security.
Journalists are asking the MP to send a parliamentary inquiry to NABU regarding the status of the investigation and the reasons for the possible delay in procedural decisions in criminal proceeding No. 52024000000000231. They also ask her to send an inquiry to the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) regarding alleged inaction, the absence of announced suspicions or an indictment, as well as a possible violation of reasonable investigation deadlines. If necessary, she should submit an official parliamentary inquiry addressed to the director of NABU regarding possible violations during the conduct of this pre-trial investigation.
Where do the doubts about NABU’s impartiality come from?
Criminal proceedings under Article 368-5 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal enrichment) against Verbytskyi and his associates were opened as early as May 13, 2024. Throughout 2025 and 2026, the UA.NEWS editorial team repeatedly contacted NABU and the SAPO with inquiries about the progress of this case. In its responses, the Anti-Corruption Bureau consistently stated that the investigation was ongoing; however, during this entire period, no individual has been formally notified of suspicion, and the case materials have not been submitted to court.
Given the significant amount of time that has passed, the media has raised legitimate questions regarding the impartiality of the investigation, the absence of external pressure on the investigators, and compliance with current legislation.
Court ruling against the former prosecutor
The position of the journalists and the NACP is further supported by a recent court ruling. Dmytro Verbytskyi attempted to challenge the conclusions of the National Agency for Corruption Prevention in court (Case No. 320/749/25).
However, on February 25, 2026, the Kyiv District Administrative Court fully sided with the NACP and denied the former prosecutor’s claim. The court confirmed that the agency had lawfully identified signs of illicit enrichment while monitoring Verbytskyi’s lifestyle and had justifiably forwarded the materials to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) as early as July 2024.
Context and Other Criminal Cases
Dmytro Verbytskyi resigned from his position as Deputy Prosecutor General in the summer of 2024 following widespread public outcry and a series of media investigations (notably the “Schemes” project by Radio Free Europe). Journalists discovered that the official and his girlfriend were using luxury real estate in a cottage community, purchased at a fraction of market value, Porsche cars, property in Turkey, and other assets worth millions of dollars.
In addition to the case of illicit enrichment at the NABU, another criminal proceeding (No. 120251644800002020 dated April 22, 2025) has been opened against the former prosecutor under Part 3 of Article 171 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. It is being investigated by Specialized Investigation Unit No. 1 of the Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime on charges of obstructing the lawful professional activities of journalists, committed by a group of individuals acting in concert.
It recently became known that former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi, who left his post amid scandal following investigations into illegal 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 already a member of Yulia Tymoshenko’s party.
Additionally, the UA.NEWS editorial team submitted an official request to the Kyiv District Administrative Court (KDAC). Journalists are attempting to determine why the materials of the high-profile case involving former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi have not yet been transferred to the appellate court, which may indicate attempts to delay the proceedings.
