Barristers is representing the interests of Dmytro Zagumenny, Chief of Staff of the Kyiv City State Administration, in a case concerning the unlawful transfer of a building in Kyiv’s historic center—located at 3-A Borys Hrinchenko Street—out of municipal ownership. The client’s interests are represented by Yuriy Radzievsky, a partner at Barristers, and Eduard Shablii, an attorney at Barristers.

The building is currently under seizure, and investigators from the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) are looking into the circumstances of its unlawful removal.

We are compelled to appeal to the Prosecutor General of Ukraine to take personal control of the situation. After all, instead of working together to return the property to the community through legal channels or holding those responsible accountable, the investigation has focused on those who actually care for the building, pay taxes, and contribute to the budget.

Following searches, allegations, and attempts at public discrediting, the operations of the building’s owner, the municipal enterprise “ATP,” have effectively been blocked. Businesses and municipal entities are unwilling to take risks or assume obligations amid this legal uncertainty.

In this regard, we ask the Prosecutor General of Ukraine to:

• verify the effectiveness and impartiality of investigators and prosecutors in the criminal proceedings;
• ensure that the unfounded criminal prosecution is halted;
• recognize the Kyiv City State Administration as an aggrieved party in the proceedings concerning the illegal transfer of the building in 2010;
• initiate measures to return the building to Kyiv’s municipal ownership through judicial or other lawful mechanisms;
• hold those responsible for the illegal privatization of the building in 2010 accountable;
• provide official clarification regarding the legal status of the building and the legality of its use, maintenance, repair, and payment of land tax by the municipal enterprise “ATP Kyiv City State Administration”;

We insist on a personal meeting with the Prosecutor General to provide explanations regarding the case and to facilitate an objective investigation.