Court sets bail at $134,000 for former ambassador to US Olga Stefanishyna

In addition to bail, the court ordered Stefanishyna not to communicate with her friend Tetiana Mazurenko or a number of her former subordinates.

Investigators believe Stefanishyna instructed Mazurenko in June and July 2024 to buy two apartments in the Fayna Town residential complex.

Speaking to reporters, Stefanishyna said that she and her family members have been receiving threats.

She also said she has “further work plans,” but that they are not related to public service.

Earlier, prosecutors had asked the court to impose a bail amount of 15 million hryvnias ($336,000), although a prosecutor later told journalists a smaller figure of 13.1 million hryvnias ($293,440).

At the time, Stefanishyna said she would be unable to support her family if the court set bail at the level requested by the prosecution.

More about the case

On August 5, it was reported that anti-corruption agencies had pressed new charges against Stefanishyna. During the court hearing, the prosecutor said the case involves three episodes: one count of illicit enrichment and two counts of failure to declare assets.

In addition to what he called a well-grounded charge, the prosecutor outlined three risks: that the suspect might evade the court, influence witnesses including her friend and subordinates, and directly affect three competition commissions and their appointment results in ways that could obstruct the criminal proceedings.

Stefanishyna herself said she “had nothing to hide and has nothing to hide,” and that she viewed the procedural steps “calmly and without unnecessary emotion.”

She was dismissed from her post as ambassador to the United States just days ago. In early July, media outlets reported that she had personally requested to end her diplomatic service because of personal circumstances.

Several outlets, citing sources, reported that her dismissal could be linked to the criminal case.