Supreme Court begins cassation review of Mykhailo Holovko's case

Cassation review of criminal proceedings begins

On 29 October 2026, the Cassation Criminal Court within the Supreme Court opened proceedings on the cassation appeal filed by the defence of Mykhailo Holovko, former head of the Ternopil Regional Council. This decision entails a review of the verdict issued by the Higher Anti-Corruption Court on 18 June 2025 and the ruling of the HACC Appellate Chamber dated 8 July 2026.

Opening the proceedings signifies that the case has moved to the stage of verifying the legality of the challenged judicial acts. However, as noted, this step does not automatically serve as grounds for quashing the verdict or acquitting the accused.

Previously, on 13 October 2026, the court left Holovko's cassation appeal unprocessed, identifying deficiencies in the document. The judges emphasised that the filing lacked adequate substantiation of specific legal violations that could serve as grounds for reviewing previous decisions. The defence was given 15 days to rectify these deficiencies, after which the proceedings were opened.

Details of the corruption scheme and detention

Criminal proceedings against the then-head of the Ternopil Regional Council were initiated in June 2023. According to the investigation, Mykhailo Holovko, together with Ihor Demianchuk, then First Deputy Head of the Ternopil Regional Military Administration, and Ihor Haiduk, Deputy Head of the RMA, demanded over 2.4 million hryvnia in undue advantage from a local entrepreneur-volunteer.

According to the prosecution, in exchange for this money, the officials were to facilitate the signing of acts of completed works regarding the construction and repair of municipal property owned by the regional council, as well as the settlement of debts for works previously performed by the enterprise.

In June 2023, law enforcement agencies detained the officials after they received part of the agreed funds, amounting to over 600,000 hryvnia. During searches at Mykhailo Holovko's residence, ammunition was also discovered, which, according to the prosecution, was stored without the appropriate permit.

Decisions of the first and appellate instances

On 18 June 2025, the Higher Anti-Corruption Court found Mykhailo Holovko guilty of soliciting and receiving undue advantage, as well as illegal storage of ammunition. The court sentenced him to nine years in prison with confiscation of property. In addition, the former head of the regional council was banned from holding positions in state authorities and local self-government bodies for three years, with the exception of elected offices.

The defence appealed this verdict. On 8 July 2026, the HACC Appellate Chamber partially upheld the appeal, amending the formulation of the charges regarding certain ammunition. Meanwhile, the main sentence—nine years in prison with confiscation of property—remained unchanged. Following the announcement of this decision, Mykhailo Holovko was taken into custody directly in the courtroom.

Prospects for further consideration of the case

The case is currently being heard by the Cassation Criminal Court within the Supreme Court. Unlike previous instances, the cassation court focuses primarily on the correct application of substantive and procedural law norms.

As a result of the review, the Supreme Court may leave previous decisions unchanged, make amendments to them, or quash them in cases provided for by legislation, including by appointing a new trial. Until a new decision is made, the verdict that acquired legal force after the appellate review remains in effect.