Fugitive former President Yanukovych and son set to face trial for seizing Mezhyhirya Residence

The High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine (VAKS) is set to hear the case of raiding the Mezhyhirya Residence by fugitive former president Viktor Yanukovych and his son, Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) reported on Facebook on July 25.

"Based on the results of the preparatory hearing, the VAKS panel of judges has scheduled the trial hearing of the former Ukrainian president and his son's case in regard to illegal seizure of the Mezhyhirya Residence," the message reads.

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The VAKS, at the request of the prosecutor, additionally decided to conduct special court proceedings (in absentia) against the said defendants, who have been hiding in the territory of the state recognized by the Verkhovna Rada as an aggressor state for seven years.

The session is scheduled on Aug 2.

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The SAPO said that in 2002-2013, the former president, together with his son, abused his official position and illegally seized a land plot and a property in the Vyshhorod District, namely the Pushcha-Vodytsia recreation center in the Mezhyhiria tract and a house in the village of Novi Petrivtsi. The losses caused to the state exceed UAH 540 million ($14.5 million).

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The actions of the former president are classified under Article 191(5), Article 209(3), Article 368(5) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, and those of his son under Article 191(5), Article 209(3) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine