The investigation of a large-scale corruption case related to the embezzlement of over 62 million hryvnias, in which the leadership of the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (State Special Communications) was involved, has been completed. About this informs NABU
According to the results of the investigation, it was established that in the period from 2020 to 2022, the owner of a group of companies, acting in collusion with the leadership of the State Special Communications Service, organized a scheme to embezzle budget funds allocated for the purchase of equipment and software. Two controlled companies were involved in the implementation of the scheme, and the procurement was classified to avoid open bidding and ensure the victory of the controlled companies. As a result, the state enterprise under the control of State Special Communications concluded contracts with these companies for the supply of software and services and transferred over 285 million hryvnias to them in 2021-2022.
However, the cost of the software, which was purchased from a foreign manufacturer, was only 223 million hryvnias. Thus, the difference of more than 62 million hryvnias was seized by the participants of the crime.
Among the suspects:
- Head of State Special Communications and his deputy;
- General director and employee of a state-owned enterprise subordinate to the State Special Communications;
- The owner of a group of companies (scheme organizer) and one of his employees.
The case was classified under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which provides for responsibility for the appropriation, waste of property or possession of it through abuse of official position in a particularly large scale or by an organized group.
The investigation began after individuals were exposed in November 2023 as part of a large-scale operation aimed at fighting corruption in state institutions. At the moment, all suspects are under investigation, and law enforcement agencies continue to collect evidence for further court proceedings.
