Defense claims violation of jurisdiction in Tarasov case, demands transfer to Kropyvnytskyi court

During the hearing of case No. 757/6519/26-k at the Pechersky District Court of Kyiv, defense lawyers заявили про грубе порушення правил територіальної підсудності та наполягають на передачі кримінального провадження до суду Кіровоградської області.

The case concerns criminal proceedings No. 42023000000000249 dated February 17, 2023, involving a group of individuals accused of offenses under Part 5 of Article 191 and Part 3 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. On February 4, 2026, the indictment was submitted to the Pechersky District Court of Kyiv.

The defense argues that all alleged episodes took place within the territory of Kirovohrad region and therefore the case should be heard in Kropyvnytskyi. A corresponding motion has been filed with the Supreme Court.

Commenting on the situation, agribusinessman Serhii Tarasov said the following:

“Pre-trial investigations in all the mentioned criminal proceedings are overtly commissioned and have a raider-like nature. My criminal prosecution was initiated by one of the senior officials of the Presidential Office and was carried out under the supervision of the National Police of Ukraine.”

According to Tarasov, these proceedings pursued two specific objectives: the raider seizure of his property, including land plots and the I&U Group agroholding, as well as continued pressure on his business. He specified that the initiator of the criminal prosecution was Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Oleh Tatarov, while certain senior officials of the National Police oversee their implementation.