Where did the money come from? The High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) deemed the apartment and car of a former MP's family from Mykolaiv region unsubstantiated

The Appellate Chamber of the High Anti‑Corruption Court ruled to confiscate to the state a car and an apartment belonging to the family of former deputy of the Horokhiv Village Council of Bashtanka District, Mykolaiv Oblast, Petro Mykhailovych Kuhliar. The total value of the assets exceeds UAH 5.4 million. The Specialized Anti‑Corruption Prosecutor’s Office reported the decision on 2 September 2026. The case concerns a 2024 Renault Duster, purchased for more than UAH 1 million and registered to Petro Mykhailovych Kuhliar, as well as an apartment in the city of Stryi, Lviv Oblast valued at more than UAH 4.4 million, registered to his wife, Tetiana Ivanivna Kuhliar.

According to the CEC, Petro Mykhailovych Kuhliar was elected a deputy of the Horokhiv Village Council in the local elections on 25 October 2020 from the party “Our Land”. At that time he was the director of the farming enterprise “Kremin” and lived in the village of Suvore, Mykolaiv Oblast.

The case was initiated following a lifestyle monitoring carried out by the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption. The NACP found a discrepancy between the value of the acquired property and the confirmed lawful incomes of the former deputy and his family members. The difference was estimated at approximately UAH 5.4 million. Based on NACP materials and evidence independently collected by the prosecutor, the SAP applied to the High Anti‑Corruption Court to recognize the assets as unexplained and to confiscate them to the state.

However, on 29 June 2026 the HACC at first instance dismissed the claim. The court then took into account the couple’s cumulative income over an extended period and concluded that it exceeded the value of the disputed property. The SAP prosecutor disagreed with that decision and filed an appeal. The Appellate Chamber of the HACC reviewed the case and overturned the decision of 29 June 2026. The court agreed with the prosecution’s position and recognized the Renault Duster and the apartment in Stryi as unexplained, with a total value of more than UAH 5.4 million. The assets were ordered to be confiscated to the state.

In addition, the court left in place the seizure imposed on these assets to secure the claim. The Appellate Chamber’s decision of the HACC entered into legal force upon its pronouncement.

Earlier we wrote:

• While the investigation continues: suspected Mykolaiv officials declare millions and luxury cars
• The State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) suspects the former head of the SBU in Mykolaiv region of UAH 22.6 million illicit enrichment: apartments in Kyiv through his mother‑in‑law
• The HACC convicted the Kormyshkin couple of illicit enrichment, but they will remain free
• UAH 20 million and a ban on holding public office: former MP Kormyshkina pleaded guilty
• A UAH 15 million bail for Mykolaiv businessman Kormyshkin — decision of the High Anti‑Corruption Court