Death of MP Poliakov may have been caused by a reaction between methadone and alcohol, police consider two versions of the cause of death

Also, a scandal erupted in the Servant of the People faction over harsh remarks about Poliakov made by one of the MPs.

As toxicological analysis showed, the cause of MP Anton Poliakov's death was the combined reaction of methadone and alcohol. 

We look at the investigators' versions, as well as the scandal that erupted within the walls of parliament.

Toxicological analysis and the investigators' versions

As stated Servant of the People faction MP Halyna Yanchenko, according to the toxicological analysis, Poliakov's death resulted from a reaction between alcohol and the drug methadone.

Halyna Yanchenko
MP from the Servant of the People faction 

Anton Poliakov died as a result of a reaction between alcohol and methadone. According to my information, toxicology showed this.

Earlier, the head of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Kyiv, Ivan Vyhovskyi, held a special briefing, during which he outlined the two main versions of Anton Poliakov's death:

• a chronic illness;
• poisoning by an unknown substance (either self-administered or administered by another person).

Ivan Vyhovskyi
head of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Kyiv

At present we do not understand and cannot say with 100% certainty whether it was a natural death or poisoning by an unknown person. But right now, let's say, we are leaning more toward it being a natural death.

In addition, Vyhovskyi shared a number of details that shed light on Poliakov's last hours. 

According to Vyhovskyi's statement, on the night before his death the deputy drank alcohol at an entertainment venue in Kyiv with an acquaintance, after which both men got into the acquaintance's car and drove around the streets of Kyiv.

Poliakov refused to go home because of a conflict "with his partner." The acquaintance then put Poliakov into a taxi, where he became ill.

Poliakov's likely acquaintance was Ruslan Dzhambulatov, an aide to MP Anna Skorokhod; he was questioned but not detained. 

Scandal in the Verkhovna Rada

A scandal erupted in the Verkhovna Rada over a comment about Poliakov's death by the controversial Servant of the People MP Halyna Tretyakova.

As MP Ihor Palytsia of the For the Future group stated from the parliamentary rostrum, Tretyakova allegedly wrote in the faction chat about Poliakov's death that it was "one enemy less."

Ihor Palytsia
MP of the For the Future group

We want our For the Future party group to address the Servant of the People faction first of all. Just now, in your party chat, Ms. Tretyakova wrote that "one enemy less" about Poliakov, about Poliakov's death. I would like to ask you, dear Servant of the People faction, to draw conclusions from Ms. Tretyakova's words. She is known for her attitude toward children, toward people, toward the country. I consider this unacceptable. Whatever political opponent or person Mr. Anton Poliakov was, a person died, an ordinary person, and moreover, our colleague in parliament. I very much ask you, I very much ask you, Mr. Stefanchuk, please draw moral conclusions and tell us how you think we should get out of this situation.

In her attempt to respond, instead of expressing regret, Tretyakova first asked how "Za Maybach" knew what was written in the Servant of the People chat, and also used the provision on freedom of speech to her advantage. MPs met her words with shouts of "Shame!"

Halyna Tretyakova
MP of the Servant of the People

When people who fight for freedom of speech, which the Constitution guarantees to every person here in the chamber, and think they can throw some rags over someone's mouth, I think the shame is on you.

Session speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk asked for her microphone to be switched off and criticized her, in particular noting that freedom of speech also implies responsibility for one's words. 

He also said that a letter from deputies regarding Tretyakova's removal from sittings and from the committee leadership would be submitted to the Rules Committee.

He then announced a recess, gathered faction leaders in his office, and after the recess announced Tretyakova's suspension from five sittings of the Verkhovna Rada.