NABU completed investigation as of the facts of embezzlement UAH 2.87 million allocated on strongholds in the JFO area

The pre-trial investigation as of the Head of the Capital Construction Department of the Donetsk Regional State Administration was completed. The official is suspected of causing UAH 2.87 million damages to the Ministry of Defenсe of Ukraine. These funds were allocated for the construction of strongholds in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area. On July 29, 2020, the suspect and his defense had been granted with access to investigation materials for review.

The actions of the suspect are qualified under Part 2 Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Abuse of office). According to the investigation, he unreasonably accepted executed works  on the construction of the strongholds in the JFO area, which did not meet the documentation. As a result, the constructed engineering fortifications cannot be used for military purposes. These strongholds are not suitable for sheltering soldiers. So, the official caused damages to the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine for a total amount of more than UAH 2.87 million.

In February 2019, the NABU Detectives went to the Donetsk Oblast to conduct a comprehensive forensic examination of engineering fortifications. Forensic experts found that the strongholds did not meet the requirements for the construction of military fortifications.

In May 2018, the official of the Donetsk Regional State Administration was given a notice of the suspicion. The investigation of these facts was started in April 2018 after the transfer of the case from the Military Prosecutor's Office to NABU according to the investigation jurisdiction.

On July 29, 2020, NABU and SAPO gave an updated notice of suspicion to the official and informed about the completion of the pre-trial investigation.

The investigative actions are in progress. Other persons involved in the commission of a crime are being established.

For reference: In February  2019, the indictment as of the former Head of the Capital Construction Department of one of the Regional State Administration in the Western Region involved in embezzlement of 2 million UAH allocated for the construction of strongholds in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area was sent to court. Currently the case is being considered by the High Anti-Corruption Court.

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.