140 million bail posted for former Deputy Head of the Presidential Office

Bail has been posted for the former head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, the HACC press service confirmed to UNN.

According to a HACC representative, the collection of funds began last Friday, May 15.

"Currently, the entire amount, which is 140 million UAH, has been received in our account,"

The HACC did not give a direct answer as to whether this means Andriy Yermak will be home today, May 18.

Context

On the evening of May 11, NABU detectives and SAPO prosecutors notified the former head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak, of suspicion in a case concerning the construction of residential residences in Kozyn near Kyiv.

According to the investigation, the housing cooperative where Yermak's house is located was built by companies associated with former Vice Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov. Law enforcement officers believe that the construction used funds allegedly laundered by an organized group led by businessman Timur Mindich. The investigation also alleges Yermak's involvement in this scheme.

In the High Anti-Corruption Court, which determined the measure of restraint for Yermak, the prosecution requested that he be taken into custody with an alternative of bail set at 180 million hryvnias. Defense lawyers asked to postpone the hearing to allow time to review 16 volumes of case materials.

Neither former colleagues nor ex-employees of Yermak attended the court session. At the same time, Colonel Roman Chervinsky, who is associated with the emergence of the so-called "Yermak tapes," was present in court.

The former head of the OP himself has already stated that the amount is too large for him. His defense attorney added that the bail amount should be commensurate with his client's income.

Subsequently, by court order, the bail amount was reduced by 40 million hryvnias. However, Andriy Yermak stated that he did not have this amount on hand either. His lawyer, Ihor Fomin, in a conversation with the media, confirmed that he would reach out to his client's friends and colleagues to collect the full bail amount as quickly as possible.

In addition, the human rights lawyer stated that he disagrees with the court's decision and is preparing an appeal.

Regarding the funds, the first money arrived in the HACC account on Friday, May 15. This involved 14.5 million UAH provided by two individuals. Furthermore, Ihor Fomin himself posted 5 million UAH in bail for his client.