**Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Agencies Take Aim at Deputy Prime Minister**
In a move that is likely to send shockwaves through the Ukrainian government, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have filed a motion with the High Anti-Corruption Court seeking to suspend Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov from office. The move comes as part of an ongoing investigation into a “large-scale” illegal land grab case, which has implicated Chernyshov and his associates.
According to NABU’s press service, Chernyshov was officially named a suspect on June 23 in connection with the case, which involves the alleged undervaluation of state-owned land by fivefold. Investigators claim that this resulted in losses of around Hr 1 billion (about $24 million), while Chernyshov and his associates received discounted apartments worth over Hr 14.5 million ($346,000) in return.
The motion filed by NABU and SAPO seeks to have Chernyshov placed under a bail measure of Hr 120 million ($2.8 million) and formally removed from his current post while the investigation proceeds. The agencies emphasized that their request aligns with the court’s precedent in similar high-profile corruption cases, citing concerns about potential obstruction of justice.
**A Close Ally of President Zelensky**
Chernyshov has been a close ally of President Volodymyr Zelensky and has held several high-profile roles, including CEO of state-owned oil and gas giant Naftogaz. His suspension from office would be a significant blow to the Ukrainian government, particularly given his close ties to the president.
The agencies’ motion also requests that Chernyshov be subject to standard obligations, including a travel ban, passport surrender, and mandatory cooperation with law enforcement. SAPO has additionally urged that he be prohibited from contacting other suspects or witnesses in the case.
**Chernyshov Denies Allegations**
In a comment to the Kyiv Independent, Chernyshov denied the allegations against him and stated that he has no plans to step down. Despite his claim that he had been on a scheduled business trip, critics have accused him of attempting to evade charges.
The outcome of this motion will be closely watched by Ukrainians and international observers alike. If upheld, it would mark a significant victory for Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts and demonstrate the government’s commitment to rooting out corruption at all levels.
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For more information on this story, please visit: [https://kyivindependent.com/anti-corruption-agencies-seek-deputy-prime-ministers-suspension-as-pre-trial-restriction/](https://kyivindependent.com/anti-corruption-agencies-seek-deputy-prime-ministers-suspension-as-pre-trial-restriction/)
