Labazyuk at VAKS: I made a mistake by falling for Kubrakov and Nayeem's provocation

Accused's final statement at VAKS

The High Anti-Corruption Court reviewed the case involving People's Deputy Serhiy Labazyuk and the head of the company "Yu AR Di" (URD), Denys Nazimov. During the hearing, Labazyuk delivered his final statement. His co-defendant, Nazimov, was not present in the courtroom: he was joined to the hearing via video link using technical equipment provided by an NABU employee.

Deputy explains motives for actions

Serhiy Labazyuk emphasised that his main goal was to preserve the company and find legal ways for it to operate. According to him, officials created so-called "barriers" that hindered the enterprise's work.

The accused admitted that he made a mistake by falling for the provocation by Oleksandr Kubrakov and Mustafa Nayeem. Labazyuk stressed that he considers his actions correct in the context of saving the business, but the mistake was that he succumbed to the criminal actions of Nayeem and Kubrakov.

Defence position and demands to the court

The MP is convinced that the fact of provocation has been fully proven by the defence. The deputy asks the court to deem a number of pieces of evidence inadmissible and to issue a verdict acquitting him. He also urged the court to be consistent and take into account the history of the creation of JSC "Yu AR Di" (URD), which Labazyuk calls his main life project.

Health condition of the second accused

An NABU detective who was next to Denys Nazimov reported that doctors do not recommend him to participate in court hearings. Therefore, the next hearing, where Nazimov is to speak, is scheduled for 23 November.

Case context

Serhiy Labazyuk and Denys Nazimov are accused of attempting to bribe Deputy Prime Minister for Recovery Affairs Oleksandr Kubrakov and Head of the State Agency for Recovery Mustafa Nayeem.