Ukraine’s leading anti-corruption bodies have accused Yulia Tymoshenko, leader of the Batkivshchyna party and a former prime minister, of offering bribes to members of parliament in exchange for votes on key legislation.
Investigators say the case involves alleged promises or payments to deputies from other factions to influence whether they voted for or against specific bills in the Verkhovna Rada. Prosecutors confirmed that a formal notice of suspicion has been handed to Tymoshenko under provisions of Ukraine’s criminal code covering the offering of improper benefits to officials.
Searches were carried out at the Batkivshchyna party headquarters in Kyiv, with Tymoshenko stating that the operation lasted through the night. She claimed armed officers entered the building without presenting documents, seized work phones, parliamentary papers and personal funds, and temporarily prevented staff from leaving.
Tymoshenko has strongly denied the allegations, describing the investigation as a “political order” designed to weaken opponents ahead of possible elections. She said the accusations were based on public claims rather than evidence and compared the searches to tactics used against her during previous political confrontations in Ukraine.
Anti-corruption officials have rejected claims of political persecution, stating that the investigation is based on evidence gathered during an undercover operation that uncovered an organised group of current MPs allegedly receiving payments for legislative votes. Prosecutors said they are also examining the possible involvement of around 20 deputies from other factions.
The case has drawn particular attention because Tymoshenko’s faction previously supported legislation that would have reduced the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies, before later opposing efforts to restore their full powers. The investigation adds to a series of high-profile corruption probes as Ukraine continues efforts to strengthen the rule of law amid domestic political tensions and international scrutiny.
