The formal reason was allegedly an error in the decision made by the judge of the High Anti-Corruption Court (VAKS). This is reported by Slovo i Delo.
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According to the publication, initially, VAKS detained Kryuchkov for 60 days. The suspect's lawyers filed a complaint against this decision. As a result, the Appellate Chamber of VAKS rejected the measure of detention for the accused.
Journalists note that the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) accuses former MP Dmitry Kryuchkov of embezzling funds from several regional energy companies in 2015-2016 under Article 191 Part 5 (embezzlement, misappropriation of property, or acquisition by abuse of office) and Article 209 Part 3 (legalization (laundering) of property obtained through criminal means). The total damage to the energy supplying companies in this case exceeds 1.5 billion UAH. However, this did not prevent VAKS judges from releasing the fugitive from custody.
This scandal is yet another in a series of accusations against VAKS for abuses. Earlier, Ukrainian lawyers accused the judges of the High Anti-Corruption Court of carrying out the tasks of SAP prosecutors and NABU detectives. “VAKS judges adhere to a post-totalitarian, post-Soviet approach, where they need to assist the prosecution – SAP and NABU, to fulfill their objectives,” they noted.
Prior to this, VAKS judge Ekaterina Sikora refused to place under arrest and released the former acting general director of "Kharkivoblenergo," Konstantin Logvinenko, on a bail of 3.5 million UAH. NABU and SAP suspect him of co-organizing the embezzlement of 12.5 million UAH from the company and attempting to embezzle another 120 million UAH. As for Judge Sikora herself, the National Agency for Corruption Prevention (NAPC) identified signs of illegal enrichment. Sikora was caught providing false information about several cars, apartments, and parking spaces that she acquired during her time in the judiciary.
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In addition to Sikora, another judge of the High Anti-Corruption Court, Valeria Chernaya, has also been embroiled in scandal. She became the owner of an elite car in the midst of the war, having purchased a BMW X6 from a dealership in September 2022. “There must be some personal pleasure; I believe I deserve this and have the right to own this car,” the VAKS judge told “Slidstvo.info.”
According to the results of a sociological survey by the “Rating” group, 72% of Ukrainians do not trust the judicial authority, which includes VAKS.