Investigations Reveal Unreported Property and Suspicious Property Acquisitions: Olga Stefanishina’s Commentary and New Details
An in-depth investigation by journalists from Hromadske sheds light on contentious issues involving possible illegal operations related to high-ranking officials' real estate. The report highlights cases where apartments in Kyiv's city center were purchased at prices significantly below market value, raising suspicions, and discusses the use of unreported housing by Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishina. According to sources, Stefanishina’s mother acquired several apartments and parking spaces in Kyiv, yet these assets were not properly declared in a timely manner. Meanwhile, Stefanishina herself denies any intent to conceal property, claiming that most property acquisitions took place during her family life and do not bear signs of corruption. The investigation notes that the value of real estate in Kyiv has increased, yet the deputy prime minister states that the initial purchase prices in late 2019 were much lower than current market rates. The report also raises issues around proper asset declaration, emphasizing that according to current legislation, ownership and usage of property must be declared if they are held for longer than six months. Additionally, journalists highlight an incident in July when police detained a journalist for documenting the deputy minister's use of a property not included in her official declaration, sparking public debate over transparency and accountability among public officials.