Participants in the scheme to steal 128 million UAH for infrastructure restoration will be tried in Kharkiv
Members of an organized group created in 2022 to seize state funds and funding from international partners intended for the restoration of Kharkiv’s critical infrastructure will appear before the court.
According to the investigation, the organizer of the scheme was an influential businessman who, in collusion with the first deputy general director of the Kharkivski teplovi mezhizi enterprise, ensured the conclusion of direct contracts with controlled companies for the supply of pipes, windows, and technical salt. Martial law was used as a reason to refuse to hold open bidding.
Furthermore, the controlled structures purchased products directly from the manufacturer and resold them to the utility company at a price that exceeded the market price by more than twice. At the same time, the KP had direct economic relations with this manufacturer.
As a result of the scheme, the state suffered losses of UAH 128.2 million. According to the investigation, the group members misappropriated these funds and used them at their own discretion. Of the total amount, 22 million UAH were funds provided by the World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) to support urban infrastructure.
On April 11, 2024, seven persons were notified of the suspicion: the organizer of the group, the first deputy general director and one of the directors of the Kharkiv Heating Networks Communal Enterprise, as well as four persons controlled by the organizer. In September 2024, the pre-trial investigation was completed.
The actions of the accused were qualified under Part 5 of Article 191, Part 2 of Article 28, Part 4 of Article 358 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The illegal activity was exposed with the assistance of the State Audit Service of Ukraine.
