Photo: Specialized anti-corruption prosecutor’s office
The Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine and three of his accomplices were detained in Kyiv on suspicion of receiving an unlawful benefit of $500,000. This operation was the result of a joint effort by the NABU, SBU, and prosecutors from the SAP and Kyiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
The Case Details
According to the pre-trial investigation, the senior official, in collusion with a trusted person, the head of an energy company from the Mykolaiv region, and the head of a state-owned coal enterprise in Donetsk region, demanded an unlawful benefit from the head of another coal enterprise located in the western region of Ukraine. In exchange for $500,000, he promised to facilitate the evacuation of unique mining equipment from a frontline area and its use at mines in the western part of the country.
Arrest and Crime Qualification
As per the agreement, the money was to be transferred in installments, with $100,000 at each meeting. The Deputy Minister and his accomplices were caught “red-handed” during the receipt of the third installment.
Their actions are classified under Part 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which covers the receipt of unlawful benefits.
Constitutional Rights of the Suspects
It is important to note that, according to Article 62, Part 1 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of a crime until proven guilty by law and confirmed by a court’s conviction.
