Ukrainian lawmaker Vadym Stolar has been formally named as a suspect in absentia across five criminal charges, investigative outlet Bihus.Info reported, citing law enforcement sources.
The notice of suspicion was issued on August 20, 2026, while Stolar was outside Ukraine. The allegations against him include creating a criminal organisation, unlawful seizure of property, document forgery, and unauthorized interference in information systems.
Under Ukrainian law, creating a criminal organisation carries a prison sentence of seven to 12 years with confiscation of property. Unauthorized interference in information systems carries between 10 and 15 years in prison when committed during martial law.
Anti-corruption probe names top political figures
The action against Stolar follows a major operation announced on August 19, 2026, by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP). The agencies uncovered a criminal organisation led by current and former lawmakers alongside senior officials from the Office of the President of Ukraine.
Investigators identified Stolar, former deputy head of the President's Office Iryna Mudra, and former member of parliament Maksym Mykytas as key figures in the investigation.
Audio recordings released in connection with the probe capture scheme organisers discussing how to legally post cash bail for a member of the group implicated in what authorities call the Midas case.
While authorities have not officially named the individual, the context of the recordings indicates the discussion concerned posting bail for former Energy and Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko, a suspect in the Midas case.
Court rulings and parliamentary background
The High Anti-Corruption Court ordered former lawmaker Maksym Mykytas to be held in custody on August 21, 2026, setting bail at 30 million UAH.
On August 25, 2026, a judge at the same court placed former presidential office deputy head Iryna Mudra in custody with bail set at 20 million UAH under a related investigation known as the Forest Gump case.
Stolar was elected to the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, on the party list of Opposition Platform for Life, holding the 11th position. Following Russia's full-scale invasion, the pro-Russian party was banned, and its parliamentary faction split into several groups, with Stolar joining the Restoration of Ukraine group.
