Ukrainian Lawmaker to Stand Trial for Alleged Bitcoin Bribery: Latest Updates
The case of a Ukrainian lawmaker allegedly attempting to bribe a government official with $10,000 worth of Bitcoin has captured the attention of anti-corruption officials in Ukraine. Andriy Odarchenko, a serving lawmaker for the ruling Servant of the People Party, is facing trial after being accused of offering a $50,000 BTC bribe to the head of the State Reconstruction Agency, Mustafa Nayem.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has been investigating the case since November last year, and they have now sent it to the High Anti-Corruption Court (VAKS) for further proceedings. This case marks the first instance of a corruption probe in Ukraine involving cryptocurrency assets.
According to NABU, Odarchenko allegedly promised Nayem an illegal Bitcoin payment equivalent to $50,000, and provided a partial amount of BTC 0.39, which was worth $10,000 at the time. The agency revealed that Odarchenko boasted about his involvement in crypto exchanges in various cities, including Lviv, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and even Spain.
The investigation into Odarchenko’s actions began in November 2023 and was completed in January 2024. NABU is hopeful that the case will be considered by VAKS in a timely manner. This development comes as Kyiv is working on implementing crypto regulations inspired by the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.
The case highlights the growing intersection between cryptocurrency and corruption in Ukraine, and underscores the need for robust anti-corruption measures in the country’s political landscape. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
