In the Rada, a law on agreements of corrupt officials with the investigation was approved

In the Rada, a law on agreements of corrupt officials with the investigation was approved

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Tuesday, October 29, approved in general draft law No. 12039 on the plea bargain agreement in corruption cases.

This document allows exposing accomplices, compensating damages, paying a significant fine, and receiving a lesser prison sentence than provided by the Criminal Code. The law received support from SAPO and NABU and aligns with our international obligations – its adoption was an EU requirement to receive 4 billion euros under the Ukraine Facility program.

This was reported by members of parliament. The draft law was supported by 263 MPs in the second reading.

The results of the parliamentary vote

Yaroslav Zheleznyak, a deputy from the "Holos" party, clarified that the essence of the project is the introduction of a new article that allows reducing the prison term in cooperation with the investigation through exposing accomplices and compensating damages. For example, 5 years instead of 8. Meanwhile, the court may impose a significant fine as additional punishment:

• for minor crimes: from 20,000 to 120,000 non-taxable minimum incomes (NMDG);
• for serious crimes: from 120,000 to 6 million NMDG;
• for especially serious crimes: from 270,000 to 12 million NMDG.
  
  

Additionally, the court may confiscate the property of the defendant if this punishment is agreed upon. However, this tool cannot be used against scheme organizers unless such an organizer reveals information about another organizer. For less severe crimes and if these are not large-scale schemes without accomplices, the defendant who fully compensates damages, pays the fine, and may additionally face confiscation, may receive a reduced sentence.

"The law must be signed by October 31 to receive funds under the Ukraine Facility Plan amounting to 4 billion euros," explained Zheleznyak.