Almost four years of non-appearances in a bribery case: the sitting MP was taken to a detention center
He explained his last absence by saying he was on a business trip to Spain
NABU detectives detained a sitting People’s Deputy of Ukraine who is accused of receiving undue benefits for facilitating private companies’ wins in tenders to supply medical equipment in the Zhytomyr region. The reason for the detention was the defendant’s repeated failures to appear at court hearings.
This was 29 June 2026 reported by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP).
The detention was carried out in execution of a ruling by the High Anti-Corruption Court. The defendant had explained his most recent absence by an official business trip to the Kingdom of Spain.
After the detention, the People’s Deputy was taken to a temporary detention facility.
SAP did not officially name the detained person. However, based on case circumstances, media report that it concerns People’s Deputy Serhii Kuzminykh.
The hearing of the SAP prosecutor’s motion to change the preventive measure to detention without the possibility of bail was scheduled for 29 June 2026 at 11:00.
According to the investigation, in January 2022 the People’s Deputy, through a trusted person, received UAH 558,000 in undue benefits.
This amount amounted to 30% of the contract value for the supply of an ultrasound diagnostic system. The agreement was concluded between a municipal enterprise — a hospital in the city of Zhytomyr — and a private company.
According to the investigation, the money was intended to influence hospital officials so that they would recognize the designated private company as the winner of the public procurement.
In addition, the defendant allegedly guaranteed that, in return for a 30-percent kickback, he would ensure funding and execution of another 2 contracts.
It concerned the supply of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and laparoscopic equipment for a total amount exceeding UAH 38 million.
The actions of the People’s Deputy were qualified under Part 2 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — abuse of influence.
The indictment in the case was submitted to the court back in 2022. However, according to SAP, over nearly 4 years the defendant repeatedly failed to attend hearings.
In particular, he did not appear in court on 29 October 2025, 30 March, 1 June and 22 June 2026.
For two absences, the court imposed monetary penalties on the defendant. The respective rulings were issued on 24 November 2025 and 27 April 2026.
The People’s Deputy explained some of the missed hearings by foreign official business trips that coincided with the court proceedings.
SAP believes that the systematic absences created a real threat of delaying the proceedings. That is why the prosecutor initiated the detention and the change of preventive measure to ensure the defendant’s further participation in the judicial process.
According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt is proven in accordance with the law and established by a guilty verdict of a court.
Earlier we wrote:
- Building pricier than the market and ₴1.2 million in losses: director of a municipal enterprise in Mykolaiv region charged
- The case wasn’t closed, Tesla was seized: the prosecutor’s scheme didn’t go as planned
- “There used to be a lot of money”: Kim compared corruption in power then and now
- “Tours” for $13,000: ex-head of the Ministry of Culture suspected in a scheme for men to leave the country
- 10% for each repair: Mykolaiv police detained two officials from Kherson for kickbacks
