$11,000 for crossing the border: Court sentences lawmaker and her aide
19 March 18:12
The High Anti-Corruption Court found Lyudmyla Marchenko, a member of the Ukrainian parliament from the Servant of the People party, and her assistant guilty in a case involving the receipt of $11,300 in exchange for facilitating the crossing of the state border. This was reported by the press service of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
The verdict was announced on March 19. Both defendants were sentenced to two years in prison.
What decision did the court make?
The panel of judges ruled:
Member of Parliament:
- 2 years in prison;
- a three-year ban on holding public office.
The MP’s assistant:
- 2 years’ imprisonment;
- a three-year ban on working in organizations involved in issuing permits for citizens to travel abroad.
The court found them guilty of abuse of influence committed by a group of individuals.
When the verdict takes effect
The court’s decision has not yet become final.
It will take effect 30 days after it is announced, unless the parties file an appeal.
What the scheme entailed
According to the investigation, the lawmaker, together with her assistant, promised to arrange permission to travel abroad in exchange for money.
This involved:
- facilitating the decision-making process by officials of the regional military administration;
- entering data into the
Shlyakh.
This system is used to process travel permits for drivers and representatives of humanitarian transport during martial law.
How much money is involved in the case
The investigation identified two instances of receiving improper benefits:
- $6,000 — for facilitating unimpeded border crossing;
- $5,300 — in the second instance.
The total amount is $11,300.
