Measure of restraint selected for Servant of People MP Kisiel suspected of bribes for votes – media
A measure of restraint has been selected for Yurii Kisiel from Servant of the People, who is suspected of taking bribes for votes.
As Censor.NET reports, citing Suspilne, the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) has ordered bail.
The MP personally told journalists this after the hearing, but did not disclose the amount of bail. Kisiel’s lawyer said the defense will appeal.
What is known?
Kisiel is a deputy head of the Servant of the People faction and chair of the Verkhovna Rada committee on transport and infrastructure.
He and four other MPs were served with suspicion notices as alleged members of an organized criminal group that operated in parliament and ensured that MPs received illicit benefits for "needed" votes.
What does Kisiel say?
The MP rejects the allegations by NABU and SAPO.
Kisiel said there were no bribes for "needed" votes. At the same time, he acknowledged a WhatsApp group chat with 22 MPs, saying none of them received bribes.
The prosecutor filed a motion to hold the hearing behind closed doors, citing the "need to preserve the secrecy of the pre-trial investigation."
The defense also requested a closed hearing, saying information about the MP’s health would be disclosed during the session. The court ruled to hold the hearing behind closed doors.
Background
- On December 29, NABU and SAPO served suspicion notices on five MPs from Servant of the People over alleged bribe-taking for "needed" votes.
- According to the Anti-Corruption Action Center (AntAC), the suspects are Yurii Kisiel, Yevhen Pyvovarov, Ihor Nehulevskyi, Olha Savchenko, and Mykhailo Laba.
- Earlier, media reports said Servant of the People MPs were handed envelopes with cash at an office where NABU had installed wiretaps.
