The High Anti-Corruption Court has imposed a preventive measure on former Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Olha Stefanishyna, who was previously notified of suspicion of illicit enrichment and failure to declare property. The court set bail at UAH 6 million and imposed a number of procedural obligations on her. Earlier, on August 3, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Olha Stefanishyna from the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States.
This was reported by Suspilne.
According to the prosecution, the new suspicion concerns three episodes. The first involves alleged illicit enrichment amounting to UAH 13.9 million, which investigators link to the purchase of two apartments in the Faina Town residential complex in June and July 2024. Prosecutors believe the properties were registered in the name of a close friend of Olha Stefanishyna but actually belonged to her. Investigators also consider some of the suspect’s expenses unjustified, including spending on apartment renovations, medical treatment for relatives, airline tickets, and housing rental.
In addition, the suspicion concerns two episodes of possible failure to declare property. According to investigators, the declaration did not include a Mercedes vehicle that law enforcement officers allege Stefanishyna used, as well as her use of her parents’ apartment in the Lvivska Ploshcha residential complex.
The prosecution also claimed there was a risk that she could influence witnesses and other participants in the criminal proceedings and asked the court to set bail at approximately UAH 13 million. During the hearing, however, the defense rejected the allegations. The lawyers stated that there was no direct evidence that the apartments had been purchased specifically for Olha Stefanishyna. According to them, her friend had sufficient financial means to purchase the property herself, while their correspondence concerning the renovations was explained by their friendship.
The defense also rejected the allegations concerning the failure to declare the vehicle and the use of her parents’ apartment, arguing that there were no legal grounds requiring her to declare them.
Following the notification of suspicion, Olha Stefanishyna saidshe regarded the procedural actions as part of the normal work of the law enforcement system.
“Any procedural actions are part of the lawful work of the law enforcement system, not an established finding of guilt. I am treating these developments calmly and without unnecessary emotion,” she wrote.
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The former ambassador emphasized that more than a year ago she had provided journalists with all the documents concerning the property mentioned in the reports and assured the public that she had nothing to hide.
“The mission has been successfully completed, and I am in Ukraine to answer questions here. Distance will be neither a shield nor an excuse. The burden of proving an allegation lies with the person making it. I will do what I must: calmly and in accordance with the law, I will defend my position,” Stefanishyna said.
After considering the motion, the High Anti-Corruption Court imposed a preventive measure on Olha Stefanishyna in the form of UAH 6 million bail, which is lower than the amount requested by the prosecution. The court also ordered her to refrain from communicating with individuals mentioned in the case materials.
After the hearing, Stefanishyna told journalists that she currently did not have the necessary amount to post bail.
“Of course, I will look for these funds so that I can post bail,” she said.
The investigation is ongoing, and a final decision regarding the former ambassador’s guilt or innocence may be made only by a court after the case is considered on its merits.
Earlier, on August 3, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Olha Stefanishyna from the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States.
Photo: Ivan Antypenko
Author: Inna Mikhno