Former head of the Ternopil Regional Council Holovko avoided punishment for an undeclared apartment

Former head of the Ternopil Regional Council Holovko avoided punishment for an undeclared apartment

Former head of the Ternopil Regional Council Mykhailo Holovko avoided responsibility for an undeclared apartment of more than 200 square meters, which belongs to his mother but was actually lived in by him and his family. The High Anti-Corruption Court closed the case on August 21 due to changes in legislation.

In February 2025, NABU and SAPO detectives announced suspicion against Mykhailo Holovko for not declaring assets worth more than 2 million UAH. According to NABU, the suspect, while holding the position of head of the Ternopil Regional Council, did not declare an apartment of 201.9 square meters in his 2022-2023 declarations. This property belongs to his mother; however, Mykhailo Holovko lived there with all family members. The apartment is located in the "Novyi Svit" district of Ternopil, near the city lake. Also, according to case materials, the former council head did not declare assets owned by his wife Maryana Holovko.

The accused Holovko’s lawyer filed a motion to close the criminal proceedings on this episode "due to the repeal of the law that established the criminality of the act." According to his explanations, the relevant law came into effect only on July 17, 2025. It provided for an increase in the threshold for criminal liability for the offense—from 500 to 750 subsistence minimums for able-bodied persons. At the same time, Holovko’s undeclared assets amounting to 2.06 million UAH at the date of the criminal offense constituted 680.96 subsistence minimums for able-bodied persons.

The High Anti-Corruption Court agreed with the defence’s arguments and closed the case for this episode. However, Mykhailo Holovko continues to be tried for deliberately providing false information in the e-declaration for 2022. At that time, undeclared assets amounting to 2.2 million UAH constituted 752.5 subsistence minimums for able-bodied persons, thus not falling under the legislative changes.

For false declaration, Mykhailo Holovko faces a fine of up to 51,000 UAH or community service for up to 240 hours, or imprisonment for up to two years, with disqualification from holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities for up to three years.

Additionally, Mykhailo Holovko has already received a 9-year imprisonment sentence for extortion and accepting a bribe of 1.8 million UAH. The official received 612,000 UAH of this amount as a bribe. Currently, an appeal is scheduled for consideration at the Appeals Chamber of the HACC. The first hearing will take place on October 25, 2025.