Brief case description

On March 6, 2019, the SAPO, the Prosecutor General’s Office and the SBU detained Deputy Head of the State Water Agency Pavlo Hvozdenko, who was caught getting USD 8,000 of undue benefit.

The investigation believes he demanded this amount, and received it, for ensuring the agreement for biological melioration of Bucha water impoundment between TOV Agroland Ukraine and Irpin Interdistrict Water Management Department.

Judicial panel

T. Havrylenko (presiding), O. Tanasevych, K. Sikora.

Qualification

Hvozdenko is charged with Article 368, part 4 of the Criminal Code “receipt of undue benefit in a large amount by a public official holding a particularly responsible position.”

Case timeline

March 6, 2019 SAPO, PGO and SBU detain Hvozdenko on suspicion of receipt of undue benefit in the amount of USD 8,000.

March 7, 2019 —  search of the premises of the suspect’s place of work and place of residence.

On the same day, Solomianskyi District Court of Kyiv arrested the official for two months with bail set at UAH 250,000.
March 13, 2019 — the Court suspended Hvozdenko on the grounds of charges brought against him. The suspension order ended on December 2, 2019.

March 19, 2019 — Solomianskyi District Court seized the suspect’s Porsche Cayenne. He sold it after he was discovered.

June 5, 2019 — Hvozdenko got his passports back, and the ban for him to leave his place of residence was lifted.

August 13, 2019 — Court terminated the arrest of Porsche Cayenne.

December 6, 2019 — The High Anti-Corruption Court reinstated the Deputy Head in his position and continued the pre-trial investigation until March 6, 2020.

February 7, 2020 — the HACC lifted procedural duties of the suspect.

March 5, 2020 — the NABU and the SAPO finished the investigation.

May 18, 2020 — the SAPO sent the proceeding to the HACC.

May 25, 2020 — SAPO Prosecutor asked the court to suspend the suspect during the preliminary hearing. The court declined the request.

July 16, 2020 — the HACC started hearing the case on its merits, but the hearing was postponed until August 7.

Current stage

Trial