On January 27, 2020, the former Deputy Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine in the administration of former President Viktor Yanukovych was extradited from Georgia. It happened in framework of investigation of the criminal proceeding as of the facts of embezzlement of the liquefied gas, owned by Ukrgasvydobuvannia PJSC and Ukrnafta PJSC. The ex-official is suspected of committing crimes under Part 4 Article 28, Part 5 Article 191, and Part 1 Article 255 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
On January 28, 2020, the High Anti-Corruption Court selected a preventive measure in a form of 45 days’ temporary custody with UAH 5.99 million alternative bail for the suspect.
The investigation revealed that in 2010-2014, private companies bought liquefied gas at preferential prices, established for the sale of gas to the citizens from Ukrnafta PJSC (50% + 1 share belongs to Naftogaz of Ukraine NJSC) and Ukrgasvydobuvannia PJSC (100% state-owned). However, in fact, the gas was resold to other business entities, and companies released it for free circulation. Because of this scheme, UAH 2 billion damages were caused to State.
In November 2019, the First Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine (PGO) had determined the investigative jurisdiction in this criminal proceeding under the National Bureau. The NABU Detectives started a pre-trial investigation after transferring case files from the PGО in January 2020.
According to the investigation, the head of the corruption scheme is a well-known businessperson. He involved into the scheme officials of the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine (Ministry of Fuel and Energy), the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine (Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine), the Auction Committee for Sale of Gas condensate, Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Coal, Naftogaz of Ukraine NJSC, officials of regional state administrations.
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.
