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 contacted Anastasia Radina, deputy chair of the Verkhovna Rada’s Temporary Investigative Commission (TIC) of the Verkhovna Rada, Anastasia Radina, requesting that she take parliamentary action regarding the possible delay in the investigation into the case of illegal enrichment involving former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi.
In their official appeal, the journalists asked the MP to send inquiries to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) to determine the reasons for the absence of charges in the criminal proceedings, which have been ongoing for over two years.
Parliamentary Oversight of the Investigation
The editorial staff of UA.NEWS calls on Anastasia Radina to take measures within her authority as deputy chair of the Temporary Investigative Commission (TIC) to investigate possible unlawful actions by officials that could have harmed Ukraine’s economic security.
Journalists are asking the lawmaker 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 any announced charges or an indictment, as well as a possible violation of reasonable investigation deadlines. If necessary, submit an official parliamentary inquiry addressed to the director of NABU regarding possible violations during the conduct of this pre-trial investigation.
Why Are There Doubts About NABU’s Impartiality?
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 Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (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 one has been formally notified of suspicion, and the case materials have not been forwarded 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
A recent court ruling further supports the position of the journalists and the NACP. 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 of Ukraine (NABU) back in 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/Radio Liberty). Journalists discovered that the official and his girlfriend were using luxury real estate in a cottage community—purchased for a fraction of its market value—as well as Porsche cars, property in Turkey, and other assets worth millions of dollars.
In addition to the case of illegal enrichment being investigated by the NABU, another criminal case has been opened against the former prosecutor (No. 120251644800002020 dated April 22, 2025) 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 was recently reported that former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi, who resigned amid scandal following investigations into illegal enrichment, has officially launched his political career. The Odesa regional branch of the “Batkivshchyna” All-Ukrainian Union, in response to a request from UA.News, confirmed that Verbytskyi is already a member of Yulia Tymoshenko’s party.
A dissertation against corruption and renting from a friend: the controversial Dmytro Verbytskyi explains how he is evading mobilization and court proceedings
Instead of facing trial, the controversial former official is now calmly sipping coffee and building a political career, complaining to investigative journalists’ cameras: “I don’t live a lavish life, but I don’t live poorly either.” What’s more, it turns out that his luxurious home in the capital is simply an act of incredible friendly generosity. Commenting on the pittance-like rent for a house in an elite cottage community, Verbytskyy looks journalists straight in the eye and assures them: “I’m renting it from a friend. Well, this isn’t a perk; these are average market rates for renting houses, uh, in this region. And this has been verified, uh, by NAZK officials.”
While the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NAZK) seem to be trying to get a case to court for the third year in a row, the former law enforcement official has found a foolproof way to avoid mobilization—he’s become a graduate student and is working on his dissertation. The topic of this academic work by a man with millions in unexplained assets is simply mockingly perfect: “anti-corruption legislation.” Asserting that “I’ve been studying my whole life,” the former prosecutor—who is practically a professor already—has already outlined his plans for the future: “I want to continue working at a university and pass on my knowledge.” And there’s certainly plenty to pass on—for example, a unique scheme for officially earning about $2,000 at the prosecutor’s office while receiving “birthday gifts” from relatives.
“Well, they helped out—they gave me gifts for my birthday, and that was my savings… Well, my mother could have given me $5,000,” the future luminary of science declares without a hint of embarrassment.
When the conversation turns to the origin of his family’s wealth, the classic, rock-solid legend of Ukrainian bureaucracy about wealthy relatives comes into play.
“My father was a captain on a long-haul ship. I think you understand how much a long-haul ship captain earns. Well, starting at $10,000 a month,” Verbytsky boasts. But for some reason, he refused to brag about his new Audi SQ8 worth 100 thousand greenbacks on camera, instantly switching to a tone of aggressive defense:
“Look, this car is registered in my name. You can look it up online. If you want, I’ll come to your studio, I’ll give you an interview, I’ll show you the documents. Show me the questions you want to ask. I’ll answer them. I’ll show you the documents. Conduct the interview objectively. I don’t like provocations like the one you’re pulling right now.” Verbytskyi now plans to scale up all this “anti-corruption” success in the world of big-time politics—he has taken the helm of the district branch of Yulia Tymoshenko’s party. However, even here the logic has gone out the window, because, in the words of the newly minted party member himself: “As of today, whether to go into politics or not—I’m not yet, let’s say, fully ready to go into politics. I am currently a party member and serve as the head of the branch in the Khadzhibeyevsky District. No, I do not sponsor the party.”
Under what exact conditions “Batkivshchyna” took in such a toxic figure remains an open question. For now, Dmytro Anatoliyovych feels so confident and immune from consequences that, instead of sitting in the dock, he’s attacking law enforcement officials himself: “I am currently in a legal battle with the NACP, since the NACP clearly stated in a publication that they found evidence of illicit enrichment on my part, that they identified the elements of a crime, and that all of this was acquired on my instructions.”
The former prosecutor actively flaunts his legal battles on Facebook, personally racking up hundreds of reposts under his own posts to create the illusion of support. However, the public does not find this funny at all, because behind the facade of these absurd justifications and partisan manipulations, a sad reality is clearly evident: the Verbytsky case may simply be being deliberately and artificially stalled behind the scenes by anti-corruption agencies.
In addition, the UA.NEWS editorial team submitted an official inquiry to the Kyiv District Administrative Court (KDAC). Journalists are trying to determine why the materials in the high-profile case of former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmytro Verbytskyi have not yet been transferred to the appellate court, which may indicate attempts to drag out the process.
