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April 15, 2026, 2:15 p.m.
Mayor of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi removed from office
This article also available in English1
Vitaliy Hryzhdan. PHOTO: suspilne.media
The mayor of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi , Vitaliy Grazhdan, was left in custody. In addition, the court decided to temporarily suspend him from performing his official duties due to the risk of influencing witnesses and possible obstruction of the investigation.
This was reported by the Center for Public Investigations.
The court extended the arrest of the official suspect of extortion for another 60 days - until June 7, 2026. At the same time, the defense was denied a change in the measure of restraint to a more lenient one, including house arrest.
The judge concluded that the grounds for detention remained relevant. In particular, there is a risk that the defendant may evade court, put pressure on witnesses or the victim, or commit new offenses.
Separately, the court granted the prosecutor's motion to remove the mayor from office. This decision will be valid for two months. According to the court, while in office, he could have used his official powers to influence the parties to the case.
The court also did not determine an alternative to bail, given the severity of the charges, which include the use of violence. At the same time, a separate investigation is underway into possible accomplices, and one of the suspects has been put on the wanted list.
Back in October, the court refused to change Vitaliy Hradzhan 's lawyers' request to change the measure of restraint to house arrest. The defense also opposed his removal from office.
The prosecutor's office submitted the indictment against the official to the court in January 2025. He is charged with organizing extortion of property with threats of violence committed by a group of people by prior conspiracy.
According to the investigation, the mayor and his accomplices organized an attack on the co-owner of a recreation center in Serhiivka. During the attack, the woman was forced to transfer 50% of the corporate rights to the facility under the threat of violence. After that, the official found potential buyers and was detained by law enforcement while receiving an advance of $30,000.
This is not the first time that law enforcement has taken an interest in the activities of the mayor. In 2022, SBU officers searched his office and home in a case related to possible abuses in compensating for damages after a rocket attack.
