Phanar Exarch willing to act as surety for ex-deputy PM accused of corruption

A speech of the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the the High Anti-Corruption Court. Photo: open sources

On November 18, 2025, at a meeting of the High Anti-Corruption Court on the selection of a preventive measure for the former Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Chernyshov, the exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Ukraine Bishop Mykhailo (Anishchenko) expressed his desire to act as a guarantor for him.

"I inform the court that I am ready to act as a guarantor for Oleksiy Mykhailovych Chernyshov and vouch for his proper procedural behavior. I undertake to ensure his appearance and, if necessary, to deliver him to the pre-trial investigation authorities or the court upon first request," stated the bishop.

The SAP requests that Chernyshov be taken into custody. He is suspected of illegal enrichment in the framework of the Mindich case.

Investigators claim that Chernyshov was involved in the legalization of corrupt funds. Detectives documented the transfer of more than 1.2 million dollars and almost 100 thousand euros in cash to him and his trusted person.

Chernyshov is a godfather to Zelensky. Earlier, the UOJ reported that the UCCRO reacted to corruption in the government "with deep pain".

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