Ukrainian Prosecutor Faces Pressure to Probe Top Zelensky Ally
Court orders corruption investigation into David Arakhamia, but officials delay opening the case.
1Court Orders Probe Into Arakhamia
On November 4, the High Anti-Corruption Court mandated that acting Prosecutor General Anton Kovalskyi initiate a criminal investigation into David Arakhamia. The case centers on allegations of a vote-buying scheme within the Ukrainian parliament. Despite the formal judicial order, the Prosecutor General’s Office has not yet officially launched the investigation.
2Prosecutor Office Delays Legal Action
The Prosecutor General’s Office confirmed receiving the court ruling on November 12, eight days after the initial order. Spokesperson Mariana Hayovska stated the office is reviewing the document according to established legal procedures. Critics argue this delay is a deliberate attempt to shield a key political ally from necessary legal scrutiny.
3Watchdog Accuses Official of Obstruction
Vitaly Shabunin, head of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, accused Kovalskyi of flagrantly disregarding the court ruling. Shabunin noted that a prosecutor from the office was present during the November 4 hearing, making claims of not receiving the ruling appear absurd. The watchdog views this as a pattern of protecting political figures.
4Legal Hurdles for NABU Investigations
Under Ukrainian law, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) cannot investigate members of parliament without the explicit approval of the Prosecutor General. This legal mechanism grants the prosecutor exclusive authority to register crimes involving lawmakers. Consequently, the current inaction effectively blocks the anti-corruption agency from pursuing the case against Arakhamia.
5Arakhamia’s Influence in Kyiv Politics
David Arakhamia, head of President Zelensky’s parliamentary faction, has gained significant political clout since 2025. Following the resignation of former Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, some analysts now identify Arakhamia as the second most influential person in Ukraine. His role involves securing critical legislative votes and managing the president's parliamentary agenda.
6History of Alleged Vote Buying
The current investigation stems from a broader case where NABU identified lawmakers allegedly receiving cash for their votes. In December, five members of the Servant of the People party were charged, including Yurii Kisel, a deputy to Arakhamia. Evidence reportedly includes biological samples collected from an aide linked to the parliamentary faction leader.
7Arakhamia Denies All Corruption Allegations
Arakhamia has consistently denied involvement in any vote-buying schemes, stating he focuses only on war de-escalation and securing financial aid. During a meeting in Washington on November 6, he dismissed the accusations as unfounded. He previously claimed in 2022 that no such unofficial cash payment systems existed within the parliament.
8Systemic Issues in Prosecutor Appointments
This incident marks the second consecutive prosecutor general accused of shielding Arakhamia from investigations. Critics argue that political appointees will inherently protect their own interests against judicial oversight. They advocate for an open selection process involving international experts to ensure the independence of the Prosecutor General’s Office from executive branch influence.