The Verkhovna Rada returned the possibility of confiscating the property of corrupt officials who entered into an agreement with the investigation

December 5 Verkhovna Rada approved draft law No. 12243-1, introduced the day before, which restores the possibility of confiscation of property from corrupt persons who avoid imprisonment by entering into an agreement with the investigation.

The law provides that in cases of release from serving a sentence with a probationary period on the basis of a plea agreement in corruption cases, the court may additionally order the confiscation of property. This is possible provided that the confiscation is agreed upon by the parties to the agreement. Corresponding changes have been made to ch. 2 of Article 77 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).

The previously adopted law No. 4033-IX allowed those accused of corruption crimes to avoid harsh punishments by making a deal with the investigation, receiving significantly shorter prison terms or even remaining free with a probationary period. The new law removes restrictions that prevented the court from imposing additional sanctions in such cases.

According to the adopted changes, the approval of the agreement with the investigation and compliance with its terms is a mandatory condition for the release of corrupt officials from actual imprisonment. Thus, the return of confiscation of property becomes an additional tool for fighting corruption crimes.