Beyond Suspicion: MP Halimon cleared of a high-profile investigation
22 April 2025 21:08
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has closed a criminal investigation into illicit enrichment involving Ukrainian MP Pavlo Khalimon, who represents the Servant of the People political party. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the RegioNews media outlet, which received a response to its editorial request from NABU.
According to the NABU, the reason for this decision was the lack of evidence that would confirm the signs of a crime in the actions of the deputy. The agency emphasized that after the pre-trial investigation was completed, no fact of illicit enrichment or other corruption offenses that could be incriminated to Khalimon was established.
The criminal proceedings concerned information that appeared in the media in early 2023. At that time, journalists of the Schemes project published an investigation according to which Pavlo Halimon could have purchased real estate in Kyiv at a price that significantly exceeded his declared income. The disclosure of this information caused a public outcry and became the basis for an inspection by anti-corruption authorities.
In response to the accusations, the MP himself claimed that the information campaign against him had a political component. In an interview with journalists, he noted that he had not violated the law, and all the assets he had acquired were declared in accordance with the current legislation. Later, he cooperated with the investigation and provided explanations.
Following the publication of the journalistic investigation, Pavlo Khalimon was removed from his position as Deputy Chairman of the Servant of the People faction in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The decision was made at a factional meeting on the initiative of the party leadership. However, he remained an MP and continued to work in the Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy.
The National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (NAPC) also reported that it had conducted its own verification of Halimon’s declarations. The agency stated that no facts were found that would indicate concealment of assets or submission of knowingly false information in the declarations.
Law enforcement agencies note that the closure of the proceedings does not mean that it is impossible to resume them if new circumstances or evidence are discovered. At the same time, the case is considered exhausted at this stage.
In a commentary to journalists, Pavlo Khalimon himself said that he was satisfied with the NABU’s decision and considered it a confirmation of his innocence. He also emphasized that he would continue to work to restore his political reputation, in particular in the context of local initiatives and work with voters.
As a reminder, Pavlo Khalimon was elected to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in 2019 on the list of the Servant of the People party. Before starting his political career, he worked in the agricultural business and was engaged in public activities. In parliament, he specializes in agricultural policy, land relations, and farming development.
The political party has not yet commented on the situation around their fellow party member. At the same time, according to unofficial information, the faction does not rule out the possibility of Halimon’s return to one of the leadership positions in the event of the final closure of all legal issues.
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