Jan. 23, 2026, 9:03 p.m.
(The suspect's lawyers. PHOTO: nikvesti.com)
Mykolaiv has postponed the hearing of the case against the head of a municipal enterprise, Hryhoriy Patoka, who is under investigation on suspicion of embezzlement of budget funds. The court session, which was supposed to decide on the suspension of the official and the choice of a preventive measure, did not take place - he did not come to the meeting.
This was reported by MikVisti.
According to information from the courtroom, during the serving of the suspicion, Patoka 's condition deteriorated sharply, and he was taken to City Hospital No. 1. At the hearing, lawyer Leonid Petrovsky provided the court with a certificate confirming the inpatient treatment of his client and asked to postpone the hearing.
The defense emphasized that the patient was constantly under an intravenous drip and under medical supervision, so any attempt to bring him to court could endanger his health.
The prosecution, in turn, noted that with medical support, the official' s participation in the hearing would have been possible, and his absence from court was not a valid reason. Prosecutor Vitaliy Kravchenko emphasized that the investigating authorities were ready to ensure that the official was brought in with doctors so that the consideration of the motion was not delayed.
The defense lawyers even objected to the video link, noting problems with the equipment and the absence of mobile phones seized during the investigation. The lawyer of the accused official, Yulia Dementieva, added that the lack of necessary resources made any remote participation impossible.
The judge, having heard both sides, adjourned the hearing until noon so that the investigation could organize Patoka 's delivery to the court with medical support. Consideration of the motion for removal from office and the choice of a preventive measure was postponed to the next meeting.
Hryhoriy Patoka , the head of Mykolaiv's specialized installation and maintenance enterprise (KSMEP), was served with a notice of suspicion of misappropriation of budget funds on January 22.
According to the investigation, the official, abusing his official position, was aware of the failure to deliver traffic lights under the contract, but approved and made full payment for them. As a result, the budget of Mykolaiv suffered losses of over UAH 1.2 million. The case concerns the purchase of 68 traffic and pedestrian traffic lights.
Анна Бальчінос