A gaudy mansion of 'monumental corruption': Inside the staggeringly opulent home of Ukraine's prosecutor general

19:39 • 25.02.14

Opulent to the extreme, the lavish estate of the Ukraine's ex-prosecutor-general Viktor Pshonka is another example of the extravagant homes the country's former leaders and top officials enjoyed living in, according to the Daily Mail.

With Pshonka reportedly having fled the country, the photos show the exterior and interior of the home, in the village of Gorenichy outside the capital Kiev, taken on Monday. A Reuters photographer said that with Pshonka gone, journalists and people entered the house to inspect it.

Zik reported that along with fugitive former president's Viktor Yanukovich's estate, the properties were having their value assessed by experts in the wake of them going on the run.

This was only one of Pshonka's homes. He also had the use of a hunting lodge around 20 miles away on a compound with two other lodges, one of them for the use of the deposed president Viktor Yanukovych.

The hunting estate has been entered by opposition activists, who found guns and removed files, reported www.kyivpost.com. But there was no sign of Pshonka, who is seen as one of the key allies of Yanukovych.

Like Yanukovych, he is now on the run and his whereabouts are unclear. He may have left the country and is subject to an arrest warrant issued by the new authorities.

The scale of the opulence of homes used by public officials is seen by opposition activists as proof of large-scale corruption among the country's elite, one of the key causes of public anger which led to the protests in Kiev and other cities.

At the weekend, hundreds of people poured through the doors of Yanukovich's sprawling winter residence in Mezhyhirya, an hour's drive from Kiev, to gawp at its gaudy wonders.

Today it was the turn of Pshonka's house, a treasure trove filled with hundreds of jewelry pieces, arms collections, religious books, old icons and pictures.

Former ex-prosecutor-general Viktor Pshonka held the position from November 4, 2010 until February 22, 2014, when he was ousted by the Verkhovna Rada, the Ukraine parliament, in a no-confidence vote. On February 23 an arrest warrant was issued for Pshonka.

Behind by a fort-like gate (pictured below), Pshonka's home awaits sprawling gardens and manicured grass. But the real extravaganza is in the house.

It features an indoor swimming pool, plush dining rooms, grand fire places and is littered with ornate valuables and artwork including many portraits of himself.

Magnificent: Two men (pictured) peer over the gate into Viktor Pshonka's estate where a treasure trove of luxury awaits. He fled leaving it intact and it is now the object of public fascination at scale of the buildings and their lavish interiors.

Secret garden: Behind the gardens are manicured lawns and gardens, with a path leading to the entrance of the house in Gorenichy, outside Kiev. It is now being explored by Ukrainians after Viktor Pshonka, the prosecutor-general, fled.

Decadent: The opulence of Pshonka's house can be seen in everywhere.
His portrait, in uniform, is on the left, while the woman on the right is believed to be his wife. The cross on his desk and icons on the top of the bookscase reflect his Orthodox faith.

Grandeur: Each room features deluxe detailing, with this room crowned with a giant chandelier and two statuettes standing in front of luxurious drapes. Like much of the house, there is also religious art, with a painting of a Madonna and Child on the left of the picture.

Ornate drapes hang behind a white grand piano. The walls, ceiling and floors are a decorated with intricate detailing

A dining hall with a table for 12 in the centre and chandeliers hanging above. Many of the rooms in the home look as though they belong in grand hotels

A hot tub and pool furniture sit in front of a massive covered indoor swimming pool which could be used in any weather

A man wearing a balaclava walks through a bathroom decorated with ornate tile work on the floor and walls and a luxury bath tub

On of the many portraits of Pshonka that litter the walls of the home, which hangs behind a collection of elaborate candle holders and apparently antique clocks. The picture below shows him greeting Orthodox priests. Ukraine is majority Orthodox and the backing of the faith's leaders is seen as one of the keys to political power.

Decorated walls, a grand archway and chandelier open to an exquisite wooden staircase leading to the upper levels of the home

A throne-like wooden chair sits next to a large fireplace framed by decorative stone work with intricate ornaments sitting proudly on the mantelpiece

Lavish lounge chairs are sprawled in a detailed grotto-like cave with an aquarium scene featuring exotic fish

Arms collections can also be found throughout the home, hanging decoratively on walls

An ominous painting of former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych giving Pshonka a bunch of roses

More of the many decorative items, including glassware and ornate objects, which are scattered throughout the palace-like home, illustrating Pshonka's extreme wealth

A bust of Catherine the Great and her husband, King Peter III of Russia. It was under her reign that parts of modern-day Ukraine became absorbed into the Russian empire. The presence of her and the king's busts reflects the Russian leanings of the deposed regime. of which prosecutor Viktor Pshonka was a leading member.

Another of the many luxurious lounge rooms. This one is decorated with artworks hanging above a television and sound system

Exquisite: A jewel encrusted cat clock with big blue stones is one of the more opulent pieces photographed in Pshonka's home

A man inspects the contents of a fridge, which still has items in it. Even the kitchen oozes decadence with detailed paneling throughout and ornamental pieces

A more informal dining area with beautiful artworks and fresh roses still sitting in the middle of the table for four people

Bedroom: Every part of this bedroom is luxurious with beautiful pillows scattered on the bed, artwork on the wall and a side table full deluxe pieces including a clock and candle holders

Holy: A whole section of wall has been dedicated to hanging more than 20 religious iconography artworks

Some of the ornate pieces of religious artwork are embedded with jewels in the intricate frames

A decorative arch opens to a plush lounge and lamp, which is the centrepiece of this lavish room with wooden floors

A man takes some time out to sit on an ornate chair in a grand bedroom featuring a superior wooden bedhead and giant rug

A child's bedroom is just a luxurious, with giant stuffed toys and a pink theme and chandelier hanging from the centre of the ceiling

A decadent sitting room with deluxe drapes, ornate chairs and table and giant chandelier. The walls and ceiling have also been decorated with intricate patterns

Artworks were common throughout the home, hanging on nearly every wall. Many of the works were of religious iconography or of Pshonka