Investigation of Petro Poroshenko’s “coal case”: the role of Andriy Portnov and the political context
In a country experiencing a new wave of political intrigues and judicial battles, a resonant process related to the so-called "coal case" of Ukraine's fifth president, Petro Poroshenko, has been reactivated. According to sources, this case has acquired additional criminal nuances due to the involvement of Andriy Portnov — a well-known lawyer and shadow curator of the judicial system, who, according to analysts and journalists, coordinated the actions of investigators during the investigation from late 2021. According to materials from "Ukrainska Pravda," since 2021, Portnov has been involved in overseeing the progress of the investigation into this case, which relates to a criminal scheme allegedly involving the supply of coal from the occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk regions. This scheme, according to investigators, was used in the interests of certain political forces for enrichment and political destabilization. The scheme was first exposed in 2016, but formal investigation and proceedings did not yield results for several years. After a prolonged stagnation and simulated activity of law enforcement agencies, at the end of 2021 — just before a series of key political events, including meetings of the National Security and Defense Council — a sharp acceleration of the investigation began. Data obtained by "Ukrainska Pravda" indicates that it was then that close coordination between investigators and the "curator" of the case — Portnov — began. He, reportedly, effectively controlled the process from outside official structures. It can be assumed that this politically motivated phase of the investigation is driven not only by legal motives but also by geopolitical and internal political factors. In interviews, associates of Poroshenko note that the main role in this story is played by the personal conflict between the former president and former allies and opponents. The "coal case" has become a tool for political pressure and the reformatting of influence. It is worth emphasizing that the legal aspect of the case raises many questions — previously, control over the investigation was exercised through "controlled" courts, notably the Pechersk District Court in Kyiv. It was there that court procedures largely limited the defense's opportunities and exerted additional pressure on the suspect. Poroshenko’s lawyers point out that one of the key procedural moments — restrictions on access to case materials — was used to pressure their client. This casts doubt on the independence of the judicial decision and suggests possible political motives behind the case proceedings. Currently, the judiciary remains within Portnov’s influence, who, according to sources, still controls certain stages of the process. The judicial vertical established by him actively uses administrative resources to either delay or accelerate proceedings, and politicians and legal experts claim that Portnov was the initiator of most significant cases against opposition leaders, including those involving Poroshenko. A particular interest is the death of Andriy Portnov, which occurred in May 2023 during his stay in Madrid. According to sources, prior to his murder, he visited Ukraine and met with several high-ranking officials, including Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Oleg Tatarov and the Director of the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) Oleksiy Sukhachov. This raises suspicions that his death has a deeper context and could be connected to various conflicts surrounding political affairs, including the "coal case." "Ukrainska Pravda" reminds that this story is also intertwined with long-standing political rivalries over Medvedchuk, associated with coal smuggling, as well as government efforts to combat corruption and shadow schemes in the energy sector. It is known that this case has been one of the main topics in internal political discussions over recent years. Amid recent sanctions measures announced by the National Security and Defense Council, Petro Poroshenko’s role in this case has become even more controversial. President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a video address, announced the introduction of new restrictions signed by the NSDC, but did not specify names. Sources from Poroshenko’s environment report that he was specifically targeted by sanctions, which caused widespread resonance and is considered a blow to his political positions and the internal unity of opposition forces. Currently, the case is at various procedural stages in court, and the question of which instance will review the case remains open. However, experts agree that control over the process continues to be held by individuals close to Portnov, which could significantly influence the future trajectory of the case and its final legal status. Thus, the "coal case" is becoming increasingly politicized and serves as a litmus test for assessing the independence of Ukraine’s judicial system. It concerns not only the internal stability of the country but also the preservation of political balances ahead of crucial elections. Meanwhile, the death of one of the main figures involved opens new, unknown chapters in inter-political conflicts and relationships among Ukraine’s elite.