Five Ukrainian lawmakers suspected of selling votes in Verkhovna Rada

Ukrainian authorities have exposed a group of lawmakers allegedly involved in selling votes in the Verkhovna Rada, the country’s parliament. 

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), together with the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP), said five members of the ruling Servant of the People party are suspected of organising bribes to secure “necessary” parliamentary votes, sources told RBC-Ukraine.

The MPs reportedly involved are Yevhen Pivovarov, Ihor Negulevskyi, Olga Savchenko, Yuriy Kisel, and Mykhailo Laba. 

Authorities said the case was uncovered during a special undercover operation. The investigation found that the group operated systematically, regularly receiving illegal benefits in exchange for voting in the Verkhovna Rada.

By Sabina Mammadli