The court imposed:
- 15 years of imprisonment;
- a ban on holding certain positions for 3 years;
- confiscation of all property.
Today Derkach is hiding in Russia and is a senator in the upper chamber of the Russian parliament.
But the verdict is only part of the story.
According to journalistic investigations, it was in Derkach's apartment that the back office of the "MindichGate" suspects operated, from where, among other things, the so-called "two-room flat to Moscow" was sent. At the same time, people from his circle worked for years, or still work, in important positions in the energy sector.
Back in 2020 the US called Derkach a Russian agent of more than 10 years' standing and imposed sanctions on him. Despite this, in Ukraine he remained an MP, had access to state secrets and avoided responsibility for years.
The verdict against Derkach is important. But no less important is the question: will those who worked with him, helped his network and still remain in power be held accountable?