Deputy Veremchuk didn't return from Slovakia trip

Valentyn Veremchuk, a deputy of the Beregov district council from the Servant of the People party, who also held the position of head of the sector for preventing and detecting corruption at the State Migration Service of Ukraine in the Zakarpattia region, left on a business trip to Slovakia and did not return to Ukraine.

Law enforcement officers have opened criminal proceedings.

Uzhhorod City Council deputy Vitaliy Glagola reported on Valentyn Veremchuk's escape from Ukraine, publishing the documents on the basis of which the official left Ukraine.

The deputy was sent to the Slovak village of Benyatina to "exchange experience in the fields of culture, education, and medicine" and "establish a close partnership for the development of communities."

The order, which provided for the departure of Valentyn Veremchuk for a week to Slovakia, was signed on November 13, 2024 by the deputy head of the Beregov district council. The invitation from the Slovak side was signed by the head of the village of Benyatina, Stefan Minchak. On November 13, Valentyn Veremchuk left through the "Dyakove" checkpoint and never returned.

According to the NAPC, the head of the "Dyakove" customs post, through which the departure took place, is Mykola Veremchuk, the deputy's father.

On February 12, 2025, Valentyn Veremchuk submitted a declaration to the NACP before his dismissal from the position of Head of the Sector for Prevention and Detection of Corruption of the State Migration Service of Ukraine in the Transcarpathian region.

The Transcarpathian regional police announced the opening of criminal proceedings under Part 2 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - illegal smuggling of persons across the state border. The sanction of the article provides for a penalty of imprisonment for a term of 5 to 7 years with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term of up to three years.