Corruption in maritime sector: misappropriation of fleet base and asset laundering exposed (PHOTO)
NABU and SAPO have uncovered a corruption scheme at the state enterprise Chorazmorshlyakh, resulting in double damage to the state: the seizure of property and embezzlement of funds.
As established, in January 2020, the acting head of the state enterprise initiated the sale of the main fleet maintenance base in the port of Chornomorsk — a facility of 4.3 hectares with access to the sea. At that time, the alienation of property was prohibited due to a moratorium in effect. However, the official engaged an appraiser who artificially reduced the base's value from at least UAH 59 million to UAH 6.5 million. As a result, it was sold to accomplices through an illegal auction for UAH 13.5 million.
Later, the facility was contributed to the charter capital of an LLC belonging to the co-organiser of the scheme, thereby legitimising property that was likely obtained through criminal means.
Subsequently, UAH 11.5 million — the amount received by the state enterprise from the sale of the fleet base — was transferred to a controlled company, allegedly for servicing the vessels Henichesk and Khersones. In reality, these vessels were located in India, and the controlled company had nothing to do with their servicing.
NABU and SAPO notified four participants in the scheme of suspicion. Two of them — the appraiser and the co-organiser — were notified in absentia.
The former acting head of the state enterprise and an accomplice were detained under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
The actions of the former acting head of the state enterprise fall under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine; the appraiser — under Part 5 of Article 27, Part 5 of Article 191, and Part 1 of Article 384 of the Criminal Code; the accomplice — under Part 5 of Article 191 and Part 3 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code; the co-organizer — under Part 3 of Article 27, Part 5 of Article 191, and Part 3 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code.
According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered not-guilty in the commission of a crime and cannot be subject to criminal punishment until he or she is found guilty by court.
