Kuzminykh Serhiy Volodymyrovych

Caught: 558 thousand in a pink bag

On January 28, 2022, the NABU together with the SBI recorded Member of Parliament from “Servant of the People” Serhiy Kuzminykh receiving a bribe — 558 thousand hryvnias in a pink bag. The video was released by NABU. The money was for facilitating the conclusion of contracts between private companies and a hospital in Zhytomyr region. According to the investigation, the MP demanded 30% of the sums of each contract.

Search, three missed summons and arrival with a lawyer

Kuzminykh did not appear at NABU three times, citing hospitalization. The Bureau announced him wanted. The MP himself “was surprised to learn about the search from the internet.” A week later, he came to NABU with a lawyer — where he was detained. The delay tactics started from day one.

22 missed hearings — and the mandate in the pocket

Out of 86 scheduled hearings at the High Anti-Corruption Court, 22 did not take place due to absence. Challenges to judges, changes of lawyers, illness simulation. Meanwhile, Kuzminykh continued his parliamentary activities and headed the parliamentary pharmaceutical subcommittee — where the interests of medical suppliers are lobbied.

Statute of limitations and final cynicism

Only months remain until the statute of limitations expires. The verdict and appeal must be completed before this date. A person caught on video with a bribe may be acquitted simply because the system did not act in time. Meanwhile, the residents of Zhytomyr region were left without the medical equipment that was never delivered.