Former deputy Mykola Hapochka established close cooperation with the aggressor country

Former deputy Mykola Hapochka established close cooperation with the aggressor country

He involved his son Andriy in the scheme.

Law enforcement officers uncovered the activities of former MP Mykola Hapochka and his son Andriy, who continued to conduct business in the occupied territory and paid taxes to the Russian budget after the occupation of the Luhansk region in 2022, reports "Ukrainian Pravda".

After the temporary occupation of part of the Luhansk region, the beneficial owners of the companies – a member of the fourth convocation of the Ukrainian parliament and his sons – re-registered the controlled companies in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation.

Partners became close associates who remained in the occupied territories of the Luhansk region and obtained Russian passports.

Currently, one of the sons has been notified of suspicion of engaging in collaborationist activities. During searches of those involved, law enforcement officers seized cash in various currencies totaling over 33 million hryvnias, as well as draft versions of powers of attorney for representing interests in the temporarily occupied territories.

Mykola Hapochka – a member of the fourth convocation of the Ukrainian parliament, previously held the position of the First Deputy Head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration. The enterprises he controlled and their production facilities were located in the temporarily occupied territory of the Bilokurakyne district of the Luhansk region.

To continue business after the occupation of these territories by Russian forces in 2022, the individuals involved, having ties with the occupation authorities and with the help of controlled persons, register companies in accordance with Russian laws and are engaged in the cultivation and sale of agricultural products.

The controlled companies not only pay taxes to the Russian budget but also receive financial assistance within the framework of state programs – subsidies from the "ministry of finance of the "LPR" and the "ministry of agriculture and food of the LPR".

In 2023-2024, these companies paid nearly 8 million rubles in taxes to the Russian budget.

Operatives conducted searches at the residences of the involved individuals. As a result, they seized over 690 thousand dollars, 87 thousand euros, and nearly 960 thousand hryvnias, as well as notebooks with draft notes, draft versions of powers of attorney issued by the individuals for representing their interests in the occupied territories and in Russia, cars, and more.

Hapochka’s son was notified of suspicion under part 2 of article 28, part 4 of article 111-1 (collaborationist activity committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The question of selecting a preventive measure for him is being decided.

The article’s sanction provides for a penalty of up to 5 years of imprisonment with a prohibition on holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities for a term of 10 to 15 years and confiscation of property.