Bribe for Entry into the Shliakh System: HACC Sentences MP Liudmyla Marchenko to 2 Years in Prison

But this is not the end yet — the verdict may still be appealed

On March 19, 2026, the HACC completed its consideration of the case against MP Liudmyla Marchenko and her assistant Anastasiia Kolesnik. Both defendants were found guilty of trading in influence and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, along with an additional three-year ban on holding public office.

What made the case particularly high-profile was the MP’s attempt to get rid of evidence: during a search, she threw USD 2,800 over the fence of her private residence. According to the investigation, Marchenko and her assistant took bribes in exchange for adding military-age men to the Shliakh system through a charitable foundation. SAPO prosecutors documented two episodes involving bribes of USD 6,000 and USD 5,300. The prosecution’s case relied on covert investigative actions, including conversations in which the defendants discussed service “price lists” and how the money was to be handed over. A key prosecution witness, volunteer H., told the court that he was shocked by such “rates,” since they are unacceptable in the real volunteer community.

During the trial, the defence insisted that the crime had been provoked and that witnesses had engaged in “active incitement.” Liudmyla Marchenko herself said her actions during the search were the result of “severe stress.” The cash, the MP argued, in fact belonged to her assistant, and she had merely taken it for safekeeping. However, the court rejected these arguments, as well as the defense’s attempts to shift all responsibility onto the assistant, and ultimately found both defendants fully guilty.

It is worth recalling that Liudmyla Marchenko had previously voted for the controversial draft law that could have restricted the independence of the NABU and the SAPO. The case also has a follow-up in the area of civil forfeiture: SAPO has already filed a claim seeking the recovery to the state of the MP’s unjustified assets worth more than UAH 8.2 million.

The verdict will enter into force in 30 days unless it is appealed. Overall, more than two years remain before the statute of limitations expires in this case. More details about the case can be found in our analytical piece on the HACC Decided platform.