The trial in the case of Orlov, the acquitted former deputy head of the Dnipropetrovsk region, has been adjourned for two months
The Appeals Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court today, June 18, continued hearing appeals in the case of Volodymyr Orlov, former deputy head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration, whom the trial court found not guilty of extorting a $200,000 bribe in exchange for granting a land plot to entrepreneurs.
According to the defendant, the issue of examining the evidence was discussed during the latest hearing in the Appeals Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC). The court partially granted the motions of both parties: the panel agreed to review all written materials but denied the request to question the detective and examine the recordings. Volodymyr Orlov called this decision expected:
“Another court hearing took place in the Appeals Chamber, where the examination of evidence was considered. There were many motions filed by both the defense and the prosecution. We can confirm that the judges granted them in part—we will examine all written evidence. At the same time, our requests to question the detective and examine the audio and video recordings were denied. In principle, this outcome was expected, so we’ll see how events unfold from here.
There will now be a long recess—the next hearing is scheduled for two months from now, on August 18. In total, three consecutive hearings are scheduled for August—on the 18th, 27th, and 28th—so the trial will be quite intense. Our position remains firm: I have not committed any unlawful acts. This case is a failed provocation by law enforcement agencies, which they themselves fabricated—a fact we have repeatedly stated.”
Vladimir Orlov also admitted that, in his view, the break between court sessions is too long, and he would like to get this process over with more quickly.
“The case has been going on for a long time, although its essence remains unchanged. No money was transferred to anyone. No land was allocated. There were no consequences for the state or anyone else. That is why I remain, as before, confident of my innocence,” the former official added.
As a reminder, the investigation into this case lasted 15 months. Investigators alleged that Volodymyr Orlov had demanded $200,000 in exchange for facilitating the lease of 19 hectares of forest land for recreational activities by a private company. Prosecutors from the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) sought a severe sentence for him—10 years in prison with confiscation of all his property.
The former official himself had from the outset called the case fabricated and linked it to a politically motivated order. He described the bail of 22 million hryvnias previously set for him as excessive pressure from the system.
On February 12, 2026, the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) acquitted Volodymyr Orlov, the former first deputy head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration. Judge Larysa Zadorozhna found him not guilty in the case involving the solicitation of an unlawful benefit.
Following the decision of the court of first instance, the case was referred to the HACC for appellate review.
