Ex dpty head of President's Office Shurma denies hiding in Germany

Former Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office Rostyslav Shurma, who has been placed on a wanted list by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) on suspicion of misappropriation of property and money laundering, has denied wrongdoing, said he is prepared to cooperate with the investigation, and stated that he is lawfully present in Germany.

"Today, media reported that my brother and I have allegedly been placed on a wanted list… I emphasize: neither I nor my brother are in hiding. I am openly and lawfully present in the Federal Republic of Germany at an address known to the investigation. My current contact details and those of my defense counsel have been communicated to the competent authorities on multiple occasions. I am prepared to cooperate with the investigation within the bounds of the law — with respect for my right to defense and due procedural process," Shurma wrote on Facebook on Friday.

He said his defense team had formally requested that his participation in procedural actions be facilitated via videoconference or through diplomatic channels.

"I do not plead guilty and will prove my innocence through the procedure established by law. The defense will continue to take all legally prescribed measures to ensure proper procedural communication and the protection of my rights in Ukraine and abroad," he added.

As previously reported, NABU placed Shurma on a wanted list on suspicion of misappropriation of property and money laundering. The relevant entry appeared in the wanted persons section of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry’s website, with Feb. 12, 2026 listed as the date of his disappearance. No preventive measure had been applied against him. A wanted notice for Oleh Shurma, born Jan. 13, 1986, carrying identical suspicion details and disappearance date, was also added to the database.

The case stems from a scheme uncovered by NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) on Jan. 21, 2026, involving the alleged embezzlement of funds under the so-called "green" energy tariff in the temporarily occupied territories of Zaporizhia region, with losses estimated at UAH 141.3 million. Member of parliament Yaroslav Zheleznyak of the Holos faction linked Shurma to the suspicion notice, writing on Telegram: "The suspicion against Shurma follows my complaint to NABU."