NABU and SAPO completed a pre-trial investigation as of the facts of an attempt to seize by deception (fraud) USD 300 thousand by group of persons. The indictment as of three persons was sent to the court. Among the accused persons, there are the Head of one of the Main Departments of the Presidential Office, the Ex-Deputy Minister of Culture of Ukraine (2011) and a person who pretended to be an adviser to the Head of the Presidential Office was involved in committing a crime.
The actions of all suspects are qualified under Part 2 Article 15, Part 4 Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The NABU Detectives documented a fact of extorting a bribe of USD 300 thousand from a person. In exchange for an improper advantage, the officials promised their assistance in the appointment to management position in Naftogaz of Ukraine NJSC.
The NABU Detectives had exposed the participants of crime after receiving the first tranche of USD 150 thousand of improper advantage. On November 13, 2019, they were given notices of suspicion. On July 2, 2020, the abovementioned persons and their defenses were granted with access to the materials of the investigation.
On October 16, 2020, the court limited the period of reading the materials for suspects and their defense. In addition, the judges confirmed the legality and validity of the suspicion of these persons.
The NABU Detectives started a pre-trial investigation as of these facts in October 2019.
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.