Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have uncovered the activities of an organized criminal group that includes current members of parliament. This was reported by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Suspicion of Systemic Corruption in the Verkhovna Rada
Investigators have established that members of the criminal organization regularly received illegal benefits for supporting certain decisions during parliamentary votes. Details of the special operation are currently not disclosed, but they promise to be made public later; other specifics are also not revealed at this time.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau reported that during investigative actions in the committees of the Verkhovna Rada, employees of the State Protection Department (UDO) resisted the actions of NABU detectives. In particular, access for detectives from the European Square in Kyiv was restricted.
“Employees of the State Protection Department are resisting NABU staff during investigative actions in the committees of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Access for detectives is being restricted from the side of European Square in Kyiv,” the bureau noted.
The UDO has not commented on the accusations from NABU at this time. Meanwhile, the bureau emphasized that obstructing the work of investigators is a direct violation of the law.
Corruption Scheme in the Energy Sector: Suspects and Investigation Progress
Back in November last year, NABU announced the exposure of a criminal organization that systematically received illegal benefits from contractors of the Energoatom company amounting to 10-15% of the value of the contracts concluded.
In this case, suspicion has been raised against eight individuals, including businessman and co-founder of the Kvartal-95 studio, Timur Mindich (referred to in NABU materials by the code name “Carlson”).
Sanctions have been imposed on Timur Mindich by the National Security and Defense Council. The businessman, who is currently in Israel, stated in a media comment that he has become the “scapegoat” in this case, although he believes the actual facts are different. Mindich emphasized that he would not comment on the essence of the charges against him, as his lawyers are handling the case.
NABU Director Semen Kryvonos informed journalists about the preparation of the extradition procedure for Mindich to Ukraine for prosecution. According to him, Mindich will soon be placed on international wanted lists for further detention.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau has announced Mindich on a national wanted list, which is a necessary step before appealing to Interpol. On December 1, a court determined a preventive measure for Mindich in absentia, imposing detention.
The prosecution believes that Mindich was responsible for the overall management and coordination of the criminal group’s activities, established the rules of conspiracy, and distributed the illegally obtained funds and assets. The prosecution emphasizes that his actions led to large-scale money laundering in the energy sector.