On November 12, 2019, the Detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), under the procedural guidance of the prosecutors of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor`s Office exposed participants of crime on receiving an improper advantage.
On November 13, 2019, they were given notices of suspicion.
In particular, among suspects there are:
- Head of one of the Main Departments of the Presidential Office;
- Ex-Deputy Minister of Culture of Ukraine (2011);
- intermediary person.
The actions of all suspects are qualified under Part 2 Article 15, Part 4 Article 190, Part 2 Article 27, Part 4 Article 369 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
As a result of the undercover special operation, the NABU Detectives documented a fact of extorting a bribe of USD 300,000 from a person. In exchange of improper advantage, the officials promised their assistance in the appointment to management position in NJSC “Naftogaz of Ukraine”.
The NABU Detectives had exposed the Head of one of the Main Departments of the Presidential Office, her accomplice in crime Ex-Deputy Minister of Culture of Ukraine (2011) and other participants after receiving the first tranche of USD 150,000 of improper advantage.
On November 15 2019, the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine selected preventive measures for three suspects.
In particular, the following preventive measure were taken:
- Head of one of the Main Departments of the Office of the Presidential Office – 24-hour house arrest for two months;
- Ex-Deputy Minister of Culture of Ukraine (2011) – 60 days’ temporary custody with UAH 576,300 alternative bail;
- intermediary – temporary custody until January 10, 2020 with UAH 4,998,442 alternative bail.
In addition, the official of the Presidential Office has additional responsibilities: not to leave the place of residence, to refrain from communicating with other suspects and witnesses, to deposit passports with the relevant state authorities for traveling abroad, other documents that entitle to departure from Ukraine, to wear an electronic monitoring device.
According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine a person is considered not-guilty in commission of crime and cannot be a subject to criminal punishment, until he or she is found guilty by the court.