Orlov’s acquittal: the court’s arguments, the SAP’s intentions, and the defense’s position
13 February 17:23
Recently, the High Administrative Court of Ukraine acquitted the former deputy head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration in a case involving a request for a particularly large bribe, as reported on the court’s website, according to
The investigation’s version
Former first deputy head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Military Administration Volodymyr Orlov was accused of soliciting an unlawful benefit.
According to the investigation, in early 2024, a private company decided to lease a 19-hectare forest plot for recreational activities. After several appeals with official letters to the Regional State Administration and receiving refusals, the company’s representative allegedly received an offer from the deputy head. For the allocation of the forest plot for long-term use , he “requested an illegal benefit of $200,000,” the prosecution claimed.
At the end of May 2024, the official announced the approval of the decision by the head of the Regional State Administration and his readiness to sign the documents for the transfer of land, the investigation specified.
In court, prosecutors sought a 10-year prison sentence for Orlov.
The decision of the High Anti-Corruption Court
After reviewing the case, the High Anti-Corruption Court found that the prosecution had not proven the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The verdict shall become final after the deadline for filing an appeal has expired, if no such appeal has been filed. If an appeal is filed, the verdict, if not overturned, shall become final after the decision of the court of appeal,” the court clarified.
In response, the SAP has already announced that it is preparing an appeal.
The defense’s position
Oleg Shram, lawyer for the deputy head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, Orlov, commented
“This case demonstrates that instead of fighting real corruption crimes, NABU and SAPO are creating situations that they later present as crimes and as a fight against corruption. In other words, they are replacing the real fight with the appearance of a fight against corruption,” Shram believes.
According to the lawyer, apart from the words of the “provocateur,” the prosecution has no other evidence in the case.
“The accusation was based on the words of a person who, in the opinion of the defense, is a provocateur who has been cooperating with NABU and SAP for a long time and who acted solely with the aim of provoking a crime. Apart from the words of the provocateur, the prosecution has no evidence. And what’s worse, they didn’t even try to verify his words. They did not attempt to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the case or to verify his words with other evidence, investigative actions, or measures. This confirms that the person was acting in concert with them, and that such actions were aimed solely at provoking a crime,” Shram believes.
He added that the group of SAP prosecutors in the case included eight people, including SAP head Oleksandr Klymenko.
“The head of the SAP was in the group of prosecutors, and the senior member of the group of prosecutors was prosecutor Valentina Grebenyuk, who supported the charges. Klymenko in this criminal proceeding gave instructions to notify Orlov of the suspicion, but did not directly participate in court hearings during the consideration of various motions,” the lawyer clarified.
He added that, in addition to Klymenko and Grebenyuk, prosecutors Serhiy Savitsky, Serhiy Builenko, Nataliya Vysotska, Yelena Drobotova, Serhiy Podgoretsk, and Vadym Sydorenko were also involved in the case.
In addition to his words, the defense attorney provided the editorial office with the relevant document.
According to the Vyroky portal, during its work, the High Anti-Corruption Court has already handed down 27 acquittals and 271 convictions. More than 300 cases are currently pending before the court .
As reported by
