Controversial MP Mykola Tyshchenko appears in court over $1 million extortion case - video

11:35 a.m. update: Prosecutors from the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) have requested a preventive measure for Tyshchenko in the form of bail set at 19 million UAH ($425k), an NV journalist present at the hearing reported.

Suspilne clarified that Tyshchenko was served with a notice of suspicion for extorting undue advantage, laundering funds, and entering false information into his asset declaration.

MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak noted that Tyshchenko already arrived at the HACC building. He added that the court hearing was expected to begin shortly.

On June 29, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and SAPO served MP Mykola Tyshchenko with a notice of suspicion in a case involving the extortion of over $1 million in undue advantage for "resolving an issue" concerning the operations of call centers, as well as laundering funds and entering false information into his declaration.

The investigation showed MP also laundered 12.6 million UAH ($282k) through a fictitious deed of gift with his ex-wife and reflected these funds in his declaration.

What other cases is Tyshchenko involved in?

On June 20, 2023, individuals in military uniforms and balaclavas attacked Dmytro Pavlov, a former volunteer and fighter with the Kraken special unit, in Dnipro. Footage showed them approaching the man while he was walking with a baby in a stroller, surrounding him, and wrestling him to the ground. One of the attackers also searched his bag. Online, it was reported that Pavlov argued with Tyshchenko and his security detail.

On June 21, MP commented on the story, claiming the situation was a provocation. He also asserted that he had no security detail and that the victim was no longer a soldier. He accused Pavlov of collaborating with fraudulent call centers and being involved in a conflict with police officers during "searches of bot farms."

On June 25, State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) reported that Tyshchenko was served with a notice of suspicion for the unlawful deprivation of liberty of the victim (Part 2 of Article 146 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

On Dec. 17, 2024, SBI stated that the proceedings against Mykola Tyshchenko regarding the beating of the combat veteran in Dnipro had been sent to court. As the investigation revealed, the crime was committed by prior conspiracy, using physical force and special equipment.

In 2023, Bihus.info journalists discovered that Serhiy Vakalchuk, the ex-director of Tyshchenko's restaurant, became the owner of property worth over $1 million during the full-scale war.

In 2024, journalist Oleh Novikov reported that NABU detectives were investigating Tyshchenko's alleged illicit enrichment amounting to over 30 million UAH and false asset declaration.