Politics Ukraine: Raid on former head of government Tymoshenko's party office
The office of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's Fatherland Party has been searched by investigators from the Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities.
14.01.2026, 11:56
SDA
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) announced that the head of a parliamentary faction had been reported for suspicion. She is alleged to have influenced the voting behavior of members of other parliamentary groups with cash payments.
Tymoshenko herself wrote on Facebook after the raid: "More than 30 men armed to the teeth effectively occupied the building without any documents and took the employees hostage." She described the measure as a "PR operation" and categorically rejected "all absurd accusations". Telephones, parliamentary documents and "personal savings" were confiscated.
The suspect faces up to ten years in prison. Tymoshenko is the leader of the Fatherland Party, the third largest parliamentary group with 25 MPs. Last July, she criticized NABU and SAP as a means of foreign control over Ukraine.
Tymoshenko has helped shape Ukrainian politics for many years. She was Prime Minister in 2005 and from 2007 to 2010. The now 65-year-old failed three times in presidential elections. Between 2011 and 2014, she spent time in prison after being convicted of abuse of office. The proceedings against Tymoshenko were criticized internationally at the time as politically motivated.
