“Exactly a year ago, on May 7, 2024, the investigation of Radio Liberty and the Scheme program revealed undeclared wealth and doubtful acquisitions of real estate from the Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine Dmitry Verbitsky. The published facts have caused widespread public resonance and launched a chain of events, the culmination of which was the release of a high -ranking official and the opening of criminal proceedings. UA.News media also actively covered Verbitsky’s case and prosecutor tried to interfere with”, – WRITE ON: ua.news
Exactly a year ago on May 7, 2024 Investigation “Radio Liberty” and programs “Schemes” revealed undeclared wealth and questionable acquisition of real estate from the Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine Dmitry Verbitsky. The published facts have caused widespread public resonance and launched a chain of events, the culmination of which was the release of a high -ranking official and the opening of criminal proceedings. UA.news media also actively covered the case of Verbitsky and the prosecutor tried to interfere Activities of journalists.
The case of Verbitsky confirms that journalistic investigations remain an effective tool for exposing corruption and abuse, forcing law enforcement agencies to respond to a public request for justice.
The main findings of journalists regarding Verbitsky
Investigation of the property status of the Deputy Prosecutor General Dmitry Verbitsky received public publicity in May 2024 thanks to the joint work of Radio Liberty journalists” and programs “Schemes”. The investigations were published by facts that testified to significant differences between the official income of the prosecutor and the value of his acquired and his close environment.
Elite housing in a closed cottage
May 7 2024 Investigators discoveredthat the Deputy Prosecutor General Verbitsky lives in the elite Kiev cottage “Konik”, where his nephew purchased a house for the Odessa businessman Viktor Pavilch for a power of attorney for 2 million UAH, which is 6 times lower than the market price. The signing of the agreement was visited by Verbitsky himself. The market price of such a house is over UAH 18.5 million (about $ 470 thousand). Experts consider such a low price for real estate a sign of tax evasion.
Photo: Dmitry Verbitsky on signing an agreement
In the declaration, Verbitsky indicated the rent of this house with an area of 155 sq.m. The owner – Odessa businessman Viktor Pavilch – has known since the work of Verbitsky in the Odessa Prosecutor’s Office. Verbitsky explained the low cost of the disadvantages of the house, and his presence – the request of a familiar son of the pavilch. The son of the pavilch is the business partner of the person involved in the Case of Galantnik, where the subordinate Zhuchenko-Verbitsky was also featured.
It is also noteworthy that the State Bureau of Investigation has been investigating the illegal alienation of land under the cottage to the Konik’s cottage from 2020, but there is no activity recently, the seizure of the developer’s property has been abolished. The procedural guidance in the case was carried out by the Office of the Prosecutor General, where Verbitsky worked at that time.
Investigators suggest that the real owner of this two -storey cottage may be Verbitsky. And that he allegedly designed a house on his familiar businessman to avoid issues about the origin of funds for the acquisition of real estate.
This publication laid the basis for further investigation into Verbitsky’s assets.
Verbitsky’s girl’s property
In June 2024 “Schemes” expanded The investigation, adding information about the property of the girl Verbitsky, which further deepened doubts about the legality of the origin of his fortune.
Investigators found out that the adjacent luxurious estate in the “horse” In May 2024, a partner of the prosecutor Christina Ilnitskaya purchased about UAH 48 million in May 2024. However, the official price of real estate was indicated only UAH 2 million, which is 24 times lower than the market value. It can also indicate tax evasion by UAH 3.5 million. The house has been put into operation on construction amnesty, although satellite images indicate construction after 2015.
At the same time, according to journalists, Christina Ilnitskaya, a specialist in the rent of yachts and psychologist, officially almost does not earn. Its official income for 10 years amounted to only 360 thousand UAH. On the eve of the investigation, Ilnitskaya redeemed the house for his mother and registered as a FOP for lease of water transport.
By 2024 she owned only the apartment and Mercedes. In February 2024 Bought The Porsche Macan T for $ 100,000. The next day on this car recorded speeding. On the day of buying the estate of Verbitsky and Ilnitskaya they saw together on this car.
Photo: speeding at the Christina Ilnitskaya atvka
Verbitsky stated that he has been familiar with Ilnitskaya since 2022, their relationship is not family, and he has not helped her with his property. Ilnitskaya claims that she received money from the former men and the unnamed man who left her assets by the will. Journalists found out that businessman Yuri Prymak’s dead in 2020 could go. He really made a testament to Ilnitsk, but canceled him later. Ilnitskaya explained the lowered price of the house with an agreement with the seller. And Porsche, she said, bought herself, selling a Mercedes.
Business Center in Odessa and real estate in Turkey
Subsequently, journalists found out that Verbitsky has real estate in Odessa. This business center Verbitsky He was in a hurry as changes to his declaration for 2023. According to the Declaration, half of the plot and business center, which was built on it, from November 2023 belonged to the ex-wife of Dmitry Verbitsky Victoria, and the other half-Svetlana Yurchak. Earlier, the pensioner belonged to 1955, which was able to build and sell a business center. At the same time, her own daughter does not even know about this fact, and the pensioner herself has debts for utilities.
Photo: Business Center in Odessa
Office Center in Odessa with an area of 420 sq.m former wife of Verbitsky Victoria She purchased Allegedly for UAH 4.2 million (about $ 100 thousand). However, the declared cost is significantly low. Ua.news got it Information on the results of an independent examination of the cost of the business center in Odessa Dmitry Verbitsky. The examination found that the value of the object is UAH 20 million 586 thousand. At the same time, the share owned by the ex-wife of Verbitsky Victoria costs more than UAH 10 million.
It became known that Verbitsky can possess real estate in Turkey, in the resort Alanya in the Kestel area. Verbitsky’s ex -wife declared an apartment in Turkey for UAH 3.9 million (about $ 108 thousand) in May 2022. According to investigators, Verbitsky’s apartment in Alanya is located in the elite Oxo Beach LCD on the first line of the sea with a fitness club, a swimming pool and other amenities for VIPs. The market value of the smallest apartment with an area of 60 square meters here is from $ 323 thousand, which is three times more expensive than the declared cost.
In addition, journalists expressed suspicions about the possiblies Iva involvement Verbitsky and his former chief, Prosecutor General Andrei Kostin to illegal schemes in the Maritime Trade Port “Southern”.
The disclosure of the investigation has caused a violent reaction in Ukrainian society. The social networks and media actively discussed the identified facts, calls for law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice. The requirements for the removal of Verbitsky from the performance of his duties during the investigation were made. Therefore, the journalistic investigation became a catalyst for public resonance and created significant information pressure on the law enforcement system and political leadership of the country.
Consequences of the investigation for Dmitry Verbitsky: Criminal Case and Release from the Prosecutor’s Office
The publication of resonant investigation had direct and tangible consequences for Dmitry Verbitsky’s career and legal status. Under the pressure of the public and the media, as well as in view of the severity of the released accusations of Verbitsky, they first removed from the duties of the Deputy Prosecutor General, began a official investigation, and later he dismissed the prosecutor’s office. In parallel, the National Anti -Corruption Bureau initiated a criminal case against Verbitsky.
As journalists got the release of Verbitsky
One of the fastest consequences of the investigation was the removal of Dmitry Verbitsky from the performance of his duties, and later his official dismissal from the post of Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine. This happened after a wide public resonance and statements about the need for objective investigation. The loss of a high position was the first and most obvious blow to the career of the official.
On June 18, 2024, the Verkhovna Rada summoned the Prosecutor General Kostina on the wealth of his deputy Verbitsky, but he ignored challenge. The next day the Prosecutor General explained that Verbitsky started It is advisable to postpone the investigation and discussion in parliament until its completion. Due to public resonance on June 21st Kostin temporarily put Verbitsky’s duties to other prosecutors.
July 1, 2024 The Prosecutor General signed An order for the release of Verbitsky from the administrative position at his own request, but he remained to work in the prosecutor’s office until the official investigation was completed. Prosecutor General He insistedthat the law does not allow the release of the prosecutor at the stage of such investigation.
October 8 Verbitsky finally released From the prosecutor’s office, on the same day, the Prosecutor General’s office completed an official investigation against him – the results were transferred to NABU. The investigations of the investigation were not publicly published.
Criminal Case against Verbitsky
On the basis of facts released by journalists, the National Anti -Corruption Bureau – May 13, a week after the first investigation is published – started Criminal proceedings under an article providing for liability for illegal enrichment or declaration of false information. This became a formal legal consequence of a journalistic investigation, transferring a case from a public plane to the sphere of criminal justice.
Subsequently, on July 3, 2024, the National Anti -Corruption Agency (NACC) stated On the identification of the former Deputy Prosecutor General of Verbitsky signs of illegal enrichment for about UAH 29 million. The agency points to the dubious sources of the origin of a number of assets that do not correspond to the income of Verbitsky and related persons.
This is the mentioned elite house near Kiev in “Horse” worth 16.3 million UAH, purchased by his girl Christina Ilnitskaya. It is also a house and a plot in Odessa worth 10 million UAH. Apartment and a plot in Turkey worth UAH 3.9 million in an elite complex on the seashore. Luxury cars Lexus ES 300h (over 960 thousand UAH), Lexus nx 300h (over 480 thousand UAH) and Porsche Macan t (UAH 3.5 million) belonging to the girl Verbitsky Ilnitsky.
NAPC believes that all these assets were bought on behalf of Verbitsky. This was the basis for the conclusion that assets are unreasonable and the opening of NABU criminal proceedings.
Former Deputy Prosecutor General Dmitry Verbitsky, suspected of illegal enrichment, even sued the NAPC. The purpose of the claim is to challenge the agency’s findings and protect honor and dignity. However, the case planned for May 1, 2025 in the Pechersk Court of Kyiv, canceled for unknown reasons. Verbitsky himself did not appear in court.
According to the Specialized Anti -Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP), two cases are being investigated against Verbitsky. The prosecutor’s office does not consider the option of filing a civil claim for confiscation of property of ex-deputy prosecutor. The fact is that the amount of the wrongful asset checked by the pre -trial investigation exceeds the threshold of civil liability. And if the prosecutor’s office goes to court with a civil lawsuit, it will actually protect Verbitsky from criminal responsibility and only recover his assets into the income of the state.
The media appeared in the media that Verbitsky is through court tries to press on NABU detectives and SAP prosecutors.
Why Verbitsky’s case has not yet been transferred to court
As of May 2025, exactly one year after the investigation was published, criminal proceedings against Dmitry Verbitsky are still in the pre -trial investigation stage.
However, 11 months from the opening of the proceedings in the case of Verbitsky for some reason, there is still no suspicion, no preventive measure or arrest of assets. In particular, a cottage of Verbitsky Ilnitskaya in Konik was not arrested in Konik, purchased at a reduced price and donated to the mother after opening the NABU proceedings, which has signs of evasion. Also, a house designed for a businessman Pavilch was not arrested, although his purchase of Verbitsky’s nephew raises a question.
In the case of Verbitsky NABU, only four iPhone 15 PRO was seized 5 months after the criminal proceedings were opened, testify Judicial materials. By messages The media, the investigation is focused on the purchase of apartment and land in Turkey worth more than $ 100,000, decorated for the former Verbitsky’s wife.
Such loyalty experts bind With the special attitude of NABU Director Semen Krivonos. It is stated that attempts to know the details have come across the reluctance of law enforcement officers to share information. NABU long refused Even the number of criminal proceedings in Verbitsky, which is atypical for the bureau. Such closure raises questions about the impartiality of the investigation.
The investigation of the case of Verbitsky began with a small difference with Investigation Against the chairman of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine Pavel Kirilenko. However, Kirilenko’s case is already transferred to court with property arrest.
The case of Dmitry Verbitsky is not a single case, but rather an illustration of an important role played by journalistic investigations in exposing corruption offenses in Ukraine. During the years of independence, Ukrainian investigative journalists have become a powerful force, which often publishes information about illegal enrichments, conflicts of interest and other abuse of power, which law enforcement agencies often do not respond or are not reacting effectively.
As in the case of Dmitry Verbitsky, journalistic investigations often become the basis for the opening of official official or criminal proceedings. Officials who have become involved in high -profile corruption investigations, as a rule, lose their possibility of further promotion, and their political career is at risk. Public resonance can make them toxic to political forces.
Further development in criminal proceedings against Verbitsky will become an important indicator of the effectiveness of anti -corruption struggle in Ukraine and the ability of society through a journalism instrument to influence the fate of officials who abuse their official position. Independent and high -quality journalism remains a critical element for building a democratic and just society in Ukraine.