Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have brought new serious charges against MP Mykola Tyshchenko in connection with a corruption scheme involving fraudulent call centres and attempts to launder illicit proceeds.
- Tishchenko has been charged with soliciting a bribe worth millions.
- An MP attempted to launder 12.6 million hryvnias via a fictitious gift.
- The case has been charged under three sections of the Criminal Code.
- The pre-trial investigation is ongoing, and accomplices are being identified.
A corruption scheme involving call centres
Law enforcement agencies, in particular the NABU and the SAP, have brought new serious charges against a Member of Parliament Mykola Tyshchenko. The case concerns a large-scale corruption scheme linked to the so-called «offices» — fraudulent call centres. According to the pre-trial investigation, in August 2023, Tishchenko attempted to profit from his public activities by approaching an individual whom he considered to be one of the organisers of this network. He demanded an unlawful benefit of over 1 million US dollars, promising to resolve the issue of eliminating competitors and to ensure the loyalty of law enforcement officers to the call centres under his control.
«Tishchenko promised to use his powers as a Member of Parliament to protect call centres,» the case file states.
Despite the demands, the MP never actually received this bribe. In addition, the anti-corruption authorities have charged Tyshchenko with financial fraud, specifically an attempt to launder 12.6 million hryvnias of illicit origin. To this end, he drew up a fictitious gift agreement with his ex-wife, who had no official income to cover such a gift. These funds were declared in his financial disclosure statement as legitimate income.
Assessment of Tishchenko’s actions
The actions of the Member of Parliament are currently classified under three articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: a request by a public official for an unlawful benefit; the legalisation (laundering) of property obtained by criminal means; and the deliberate inclusion of false information in a declaration. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement agencies are identifying other possible accomplices in this case.
As things stand, Mykola Tyshchenko and his representatives have not commented on the new allegations from NABU and the SAP.
