Cabinet eager to evict Viktor Yanukovych to regain its property

The residence was bought by Viktor Yanukovych in 2006 after it had changed hands several times in what is believed to be a chain of dubious deals when Yanukovych was premier. Incidentally, Pres Yushchenko assisted in turning the original state property into a saleable asset by annulling its state-owned status.

The cabinet made public its intention to regain its former property on Aug. 26. The following day, Viktor Yanukovych came out with a statement that he was the legal owner of the residence. Meanwhile, the first deputy justice minister, Yevhen Kornijchuk, claims the residence in Mezhyhirya is owned by a legal entity.

However, after the cabinet announcement of its plans, the documents on the residence were snatched from the registration office by a Regions lawmaker, Mykola Dzhyha, on a flimsy excuse. Without the documents, the justice ministry says, it will be difficult to implement the cabinet’s plan.

The new status of a national preserve will help the cabinet to return the residence, officials say.