Frequently Asked Questions

Under Articles 42 and 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) of Ukraine, you have the right to know the reason for detention, to remain silent, to a defense lawyer from the moment of detention (including a free state-appointed one), to notify relatives, and to challenge the detention before an investigating judge. Warrantless detention cannot exceed 72 hours before a court must rule on a preventive measure.

Investigation begins once information is entered into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations. General deadlines run up to 12 months for minor/moderate offenses and 18 months for serious/especially serious ones before a suspicion notice is served; shorter deadlines apply afterward. Exact timelines depend on the offense classification and case specifics.

Yes — Article 170 of the CPC allows seizure of "virtual assets" within criminal proceedings; investigators typically request the exchange to freeze the account. You can challenge the seizure before an investigating judge, and challenge any transfer to the Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA) during confiscation proceedings. Whether virtual assets qualify as "material evidence" remains legally contested in Ukrainian courts.

Article 209 criminalizes acquiring, possessing, using, or disposing of property known to derive from criminal activity, including financial transactions or concealment of its origin. Enhanced penalties apply for "large" (over 6,000 tax-free minimum incomes) and "especially large" (over 18,000) amounts. The article was substantially amended by Law No. 361-IX, effective April 28, 2020.

Report to the Cyber Police via ticket.cyberpolice.gov.ua, email callcenter@cyberpolice.gov.ua, phone 0 800 50 51 70 (weekdays, 09:00–18:00), or in person at any police station. Preserve evidence beforehand — screenshots, correspondence, transaction records. Filing opens a case number in the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations.

A person becomes a "suspect" upon receiving a written notice of suspicion or upon detention — during the investigation stage. A person becomes formally "accused" only once the prosecutor files an indictment with the court, setting out the established facts and legal classification. Suspicion marks the investigation stage; formal charge marks the transition to trial.

The Prosecutor General's Office handles extradition requests during investigation or trial; the Ministry of Justice handles cases involving convicted persons. Requests proceed under applicable treaties or diplomatically on a reciprocity basis where none exists. A simplified procedure is available with the person's consent and an investigating judge's approval.

Owning and trading cryptocurrency isn't criminalized, but a dedicated regulatory framework is still incomplete. The 2022 "On Virtual Assets" law was signed but never took effect, pending Tax Code amendments. A new bill (No. 10225-d) passed its first reading in September 2025 and remains pending — treat this area as evolving, not settled.