The High Anti-Corruption Court has postponed the hearing of the Stupak case until September 2
The High Anti-Corruption Court has postponed consideration of the request for a pretrial measure against Oleksiy Stupak, chairman of the board of the state-owned Sens Bank. A new hearing has been scheduled for September 2 at 1:00 p.m. The reason for the postponement was the banker’s deteriorating health, although the prosecutor from the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office objected, arguing that the defense might be delaying the proceedings.
The High Anti-Corruption Court was scheduled to consider a motion by the prosecutor from the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office regarding a pretrial measure for Oleksiy Stupak. However, during the hearing, the defense requested a recess. The attorneys stated that Stupak’s health had deteriorated. According to them, a doctor confirmed an exacerbation of a chronic illness.
The defense also emphasized that Stupak is not in custody. According to their information, he has remained in Ukraine since August 19. Stupak himself confirmed that he is feeling worse. He also stated that he does not plan to leave Ukraine. Following this, the court decided to adjourn the hearing until a later date. A new hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, September 2, at 1:00 p.m.
The prosecutor opposed the postponement
The SAPO prosecutor did not agree with the defense’s request. He stated that he considers the defense’s actions an attempt to delay the consideration of the motion. According to the prosecutor, the prosecution was ready to continue the hearing and consider the issue of a preventive measure on the same day.
Thus, the parties have differing views on the reasons for the postponement. The defense cites a genuine deterioration in Stupak’s health, while the prosecution sees a risk of delaying the trial. Until the court issues a ruling on the pretrial measure, Stupak remains free.
What Precautionary Measure Is the Prosecutor’s Office Requesting?
A prosecutor from the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office is requesting that Oleksiy Stupak be taken into custody. At the same time, the prosecution is proposing an alternative—bail in the amount of 150 million hryvnias. The prosecution explains the need for this specific pretrial measure by citing what it considers to be high risks. As the prosecutor stated, it is impossible to prevent these risks with a less restrictive measure.
Among the prosecution’s arguments are the alleged use of a state-owned bank for the private interests of a certain group of people, as well as the possible disregard of financial monitoring requirements. However, this is specifically the position of the prosecution. The court will make the final assessment of these circumstances.
What NABU and SAPO Are Investigating
The case is linked to an operation by NABU and the SAPO, dubbed “Forest Gump.” As part of this investigation, law enforcement officials are examining the circumstances surrounding the posting of a 150 million hryvnia bail bond for former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.
SENS Bank is mentioned in the case files. According to investigators, some of the transactions related to this bail were conducted through the bank’s accounts. On August 19, Yaroslav Zheleznyak, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada’s Temporary Investigative Commission, released the information, citing materials from a NABU detective’s motion. According to this information, 50 million hryvnias of the total bail amount for Halushchenko were transferred from accounts at Sens Bank to the VAKS account.
What’s Next
The court will now consider the issue of a preventive measure for Oleksiy Stupak on September 2. At the hearing, the parties will be able to present their arguments, after which the court must issue a ruling. The prosecution insists on pretrial detention with the option of posting 150 million hryvnias in bail. The defense, for its part, disagrees with these demands.
Stupak stated that he does not intend to leave Ukraine. He will not be held in custody until the next hearing. At the same time, the mere fact that a pretrial measure is being considered does not imply a finding of guilt. Final conclusions regarding possible violations should be made only based on the results of the court proceedings. This was reported by the High Anti-Corruption Court.
A preventive measure is currently being determined for Oleksiy Stupak, chairman of the board of Sens Bank.
Incidentally, the prosecutor is requesting that Mykytas be arrested with bail set at 200 million hryvnia.
Iryna Mudra, the now-former deputy head of the Office of the President, has been detained. She is currently at the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), where investigative proceedings are ongoing.
NABU has published the full transcript of the recordings in the “Forest Gump” case.
