Court begins to try Shabunin for evading military service

The Pechersk District Court of Kyiv has begun a preparatory hearing in the criminal proceedings against the head of the Anti-Corruption Action Center Vitalii Shabunin and his former commander. They are charged with evasion of military service, fraud and abuse of office.

The Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Defense of the Central Region has announced this, the Ukrainian News agency reports.

Public prosecution in the case is supported by prosecutors of the Kyiv Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Defense of the Central Region. The defense filed a motion to disqualify the judge, and the court adjourned to determine the judge who will consider the motion.

According to the investigation, in 2022-2023, Shabunin did not fulfill his duties, left the place of service without permission and submitted letters to the command requesting a business trip to the NACP without legal grounds.

The commander of the military unit issued illegal orders for such a business trip, assisting his subordinate in evading service. During this period, the serviceman also received financial support as an active serviceman.

"The position of the prosecutor's office is simple: evasion from service during the war has consequences. We insist on the responsibility of each defendant," the prosecutor said.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, the Donetsk District Administrative Court in the case of tax debt found no evidence that the head of the Anti-Corruption Action Center Vitalii Shabunin is an active serviceman. The State Bureau of Investigation suspects him of evading military service and fraud. According to the investigation, he evaded military service and used a car that was assigned to the Ukrainian Defense Forces.