The Supreme Court of Ukraine sentenced former MP Andriy Derkach to 15 years in prison for high treason

On July 13, the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court found former MP Andriy Derkach guilty of high treason and illicit enrichment. The ex-parliamentarian was sentenced to 15 years in prison with full confiscation of property.

In addition, the court deprived Derkach of the right to hold positions in state and local government bodies for three years. This is reported by Transparency International Ukraine.

The prosecutor’s office insisted: Derkach’s guilt was proven

On July 10, the parties exercised their right to final remarks. The prosecutor stated that the prosecution had provided sufficient evidence of the former MP’s guilt.

At the same time, the defense insisted on the alleged numerous shortcomings of the evidence base and asked the court to fully acquit Derkach.

The court debates in the case lasted from June 9 to 23. According to the prosecutor, the involvement of the former MP in the crimes charged is confirmed by the testimony and the results of the examinations.

Investigation claimed meetings with representatives of the Russian GRU

According to the investigation, during 2019–2020, Andriy Derkach regularly met in Moscow with representatives of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

The prosecution claimed that in the future, with Russian funds, the former deputy held press conferences and carried out information activities aimed at discrediting Ukraine.

The defense denied Derkach’s cooperation with Russian military intelligence and insisted that his actions took place exclusively within the limits of his deputy’s powers.

The lawyers also questioned the admissibility of some of the prosecution’s evidence.

The case was considered without Derkach’s presence

Andriy Derkach was not present at the court hearings. In this regard, the criminal proceedings were considered under the procedure of special judicial proceedings – in the absence of the accused.

According to Transparency International Ukraine, the former MP is in Russia, where he continues his activities and supports the Russian government.

In 2025, it became known that Derkach was awarded the title of “Hero of Russia” – the highest state award of the Russian Federation. During the meeting of the Federation Council on December 10, senators congratulated members of the chamber who were awarded the “Golden Star”. Andriy Derkach was named among them.

The former MP is also suspected of seizing Kyiv lands worth over UAH 595 million

In April, the Security Service of Ukraine informed Andriy Derkach of suspicion of illegal seizing lands of the Kyiv Nature Reserve Fund worth over UAH 595 million.

According to law enforcement officials, this concerns 41.5 hectares of land between Lakes Koncha and Zaspa. The investigation believes that back in 2010, the land plots were registered in the names of persons associated with Derkach.

According to the SBU, the head of the Obukhiv district department of the State Land Committee and the then head of the Obukhiv district state administration could have been involved in the scheme.

Law enforcement officials claim that the defendants forged land documents and entered false information into the State Land Cadastre. According to the investigation, the seized plot makes up almost half of the relevant nature conservation area.

Derkach also appeared in the materials on “Mindichgate”

The name of the former people’s deputy was also mentioned in the materials of the so-called “Mindichgate” case.

According to the investigation, an apartment was registered to Derkach’s relatives, in which the back office of the defendants of the case was allegedly located. Law enforcement officials believe that they could have laundered money received as a result of schemes on Energoatom contracts there.

At the same time, these circumstances are the subject of separate criminal proceedings and do not directly relate to the verdict of the Supreme Court of Justice in the case of high treason and illicit enrichment.

Derkach was deprived of citizenship and deputy mandate

In 2023, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky deprived Andriy Derkach of Ukrainian citizenship.

After that, the Verkhovna Rada early terminated his powers as a People’s Deputy of Ukraine.

Currently, the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court has found Derkach guilty of high treason and illicit enrichment and sentenced him to 15 years in prison with full confiscation of property. The ex-parliamentarian is also prohibited from holding positions in state and local government bodies for three years.