"We pay US$10,000 for two sessions": content of Tymoshenko tapes revealed
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has released a recording in which Yuliia Tymoshenko, leader of the Batkivshchyna parliamentary faction, and an unidentified MP can be heard discussing a scheme for providing payments in exchange for voting a certain way in the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament).
Source: an audio recording released by NABU
Details: The conversation took place on 12 January ahead of votes on the removal of Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal and Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Tymoshenko is heard to say: "We pay 'ten' (US$10,000) for two sessions, we pay for two sessions in advance."
The audio recording also contains a discussion on how the voting will be coordinated – via secure messaging apps such as Signal.
The discussions covered the recent reshuffles as well as draft laws. Shortly before the reshuffles, Tymoshenko gave instructions: "We're voting for [their] dismissal [from office – ed.], we're not voting for [their] appointment."
Background:
- On the evening of Tuesday 13 January, NABU and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office reported that they had uncovered corruption involving the leader of a parliamentary faction. Sources told Ukrainska Pravda that the case concerns Yuliia Tymoshenko.
- The anti-corruption bodies stated that Tymoshenko had been exposed for allegedly offering unlawful benefits to several MPs from other factions in exchange for voting for or against specific draft laws.
- The case has been classified under Article 369.4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (offering, promising or giving an unlawful benefit).
- On the morning of 14 January, sources in political circles told Ukrainska Pravda that anti-corruption agencies had served Yuliia Tymoshenko with a notice of suspicion.
- Tymoshenko later confirmed that searches had taken place at the party office, but said she rejects all the accusations made against her.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!