"This is procedural theater": lawyer Yaroslav Kuts explained why he posted 4 million bail for Yermak and threatened the NABU with a lawsuit

"This is procedural theater": lawyer Yaroslav Kuts explained why he posted 4 million bail for Yermak and threatened the NABU with a lawsuit

Yaroslav Kuts, originally from Varva, a well-known lawyer and TV presenter, as well as the lawyer of singer Taras Topolya, posted 4 million UAH bail for Yermak.

He announced this on his personal Facebook profile. 

On May 19, journalists from the “Schemes” program (Schemes: Corruption in Detail – RFERL) approached the law firm “A.DVA.KA.T”, which represents the native of Chernihiv region, requesting a comment on the firm’s contribution to Andriy Yermak’s bail.

Yaroslav Kuts decided to address the matter personally on social media. 

According to him, his firm does not support politicians. On the contrary, it defends justice—even when it is inconvenient.

“What happened with the charges under Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is not a criminal proceeding. It is procedural theater that will cost Ukrainian taxpayers real money after decisions by the European Court of Human Rights. And we, as practitioners with experience in acquittals, state this responsibly.

The Criminal Procedure Code does not contain the word ‘rescue.’ There is a preventive measure—arrest with the alternative of bail. We used the law. This is exactly how a rule-of-law state should function,” Kuts wrote.

Unlike Chernyshov, who had to be brought back to Ukraine, Yermak did not disappear anywhere. The risk of absconding is minimal, and this is not a political assessment but a procedural fact.

Once the bail is revoked and returned, the funds will be donated to charity, the lawyer promised. 

“No comment on the irony of the situation. And finally: the leak of information about banking transactions is not journalism. It is a criminal offense. If the source of the breach of banking secrecy without a court order is the HACC or NABU, then it is a verdict on this system, which is willing to violate the law directly in order to exert pressure.”

The lawyer threatened further lengthy analysis and a series of actions regarding the criminal offense under Article 232 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, “Disclosure of commercial or banking secrets.” 

The lawyer also promised to file a complaint with the Office of the Prosecutor General concerning the commission of a criminal offense. 

“At the same time, we will see how this system works.

And now I will say what journalists usually say in their investigations: ‘For us, any outcome of the system’s activity or inaction will be an indicator; the only difference is whether it is positive or negative,’” Kuts wrote. 

On May 18, bail of 140 million UAH was posted for former Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak. 

The funds were contributed by various individuals and entities—from legendary footballer Serhiy Rebrov to the little-known company “Miralif,” founded in 2023. The company, registered in the village of Sofiivska Borshchahivka near Kyiv, lists its main activity as providing services for the lease and operation of its own or rented real estate.

The former official thanked everyone who contributed to his bail. 

“I am sincerely grateful to everyone who joined in raising the required bail amount—both people I know personally and those I do not yet know. Thank you to all who support me in this difficult moment. Justice is worth fighting for.

As before, I insist on my innocence and deny any accusations against me. I respect the law and will continue to defend my position and my reputation exclusively through legal means.

I have not fled and do not intend to. I remain in Ukraine and will continue doing what I have been doing all this time—working for the benefit of my country, helping the military, prisoners of war, and people in need of support.”