New developments in the case of journalist Kardash detained in Kyiv: arrested money must be returned to her husband

Inna Kardash

Investigators have submitted an indictment to the court; after its assessment for compliance with Ukrainian law, the substantive review of the case is expected to begin, writes Radio Svoboda.

According to the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, at the preliminary stage, i.e., based on the review of the indictment, the judge may even close the case if there are grounds. If the indictment complies with legal requirements, the court must set a date for the start of the hearing.

The qualification of the crime committed by Inna Kardash has not changed — Inna Kardash is accused under Part 1 of Article 114 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (transfer or collection by a foreigner, with the aim of transferring to a foreign state, foreign organization, or their representatives, information that constitutes a state secret). She faces imprisonment for a term of 10 to 15 years, with or without confiscation of property.

Katsiaryna Yusupava, Inna Kardash's lawyer, indirectly confirmed that a court hearing in her client's case has already been scheduled, but she refused to name the date of the first session.

«Without my client's consent, I have no right to publish any information related to her, not even the date of the court session,» Kardash's lawyer told Svoboda.

New details of the case

At the end of May, Inna Kardash's husband appealed to the court for the lifting of the arrest on money found with her during her detention — which took place in the center of Kyiv, at the Georgian cuisine restaurant Khachapuri Ta Vyno.

Kardash had $2,150 with her at the time.

Her husband, a volunteer serving in an assault unit, claims that it was his money — he brought receipts to the court for ATM withdrawals from his bank card. On this basis, despite the investigator's protest in the case, the court recognized that the money belonged to Kardash's husband and ordered the lifting of its arrest.

Павялічыць

Belarusian Inna Kardash during her detention in Kyiv, January 2026

In early June, the husband complained to the court about the investigator for ignoring his requests for a meeting with his wife. The judge refused to open a case regarding the investigator's inaction but obliged him to "ensure the fulfillment of rights to family life." Svoboda has not yet been able to confirm the fact of their meeting.

What preceded this

Inna Kardash was detained this year on January 21 and was charged with suspicions of espionage on behalf of the State Security Committee of Belarus.

At the time of her detention, Inna Kardash was already working at the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. According to the investigation, she contacted the KGB through a citizen of Belarus who, "knowingly to her, carried out confidential cooperation with the special services of Belarus."

On April 20, it became known that the court had seized Inna Kardash's apartment to secure the criminal proceedings.

The investigation of the case was supposed to conclude on June 20.

In early May, Bohdan Akhrymenko, head of the secretariat of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, reported that Minsk had approached Kyiv regarding the exchange of Inna Kardash.

«There was such a signal, but apart from discussions, there is nothing yet. We are open to proposals. We are not interested in holding foreign criminals in our country, spending budget funds on them, while our illegally convicted citizens are behind bars in inhumane conditions. If practical proposals emerge in communication, we will consider them,» Bohdan Akhrymenko said in an interview with Ukrinform news agency.

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