HACC again allows in absentia trial of Onyshchenko
The HACC continued to reexamine the so-called "gas case" of former People's Deputy Oleksandr Onyshchenko and authorized special proceedings against him and his accomplice Olena Pavlenko. The trial will take place without the participation of the accused, as both of them are wanted.
The court also proceeded to opening statements. The prosecutor noted that the guilt of the defendants is fully proven by the collected evidence, in particular the materials of the National Crime Records Bureau. The defense noted that the indictment does not specify what exactly, according to the prosecution, the defendants took possession of, and the statements of the prosecution are based on assumptions. The actions of Onyshchenko and Pavlenko, their defense argues, do not constitute a crime.
At the next hearing, the court will proceed to examine the evidence in the following order: written materials of the prosecution, physical evidence, examination of witnesses, examination of the defense's materials, and examination of their witnesses.
Oleksandr Onishchenko is a figure in the EBK database.
Previously, the HACC refused to merge the criminal proceedings against former MP Oleksandr Onyshchenko and financial manager Olena Pavlenko with the case of co-organizer Valeriy Postny and others for misappropriation of funds from JSC Ukrgazvydobuvannya.
The HACC also sentenced former People's Deputy Oleksandr Onyshchenko to 15 years in prison. According to the investigation, in 2013-2016, Onyshchenko organized a scheme to sell gas from Ukrgazvydobuvannya to his companies on fictitious exchanges at undervalued prices. As a result, Ukrgazvydobuvannya suffered losses of more than UAH 740 million. However, the AC of the HACC overturned the verdict and sent the case back to court for a new trial.
