Case as of 93 million UAH public funds embezzlement of «Ukrzaliznytsia»: the investigation is completed

The Detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) completed the pre-trial investigation as of the facts of 93.27 million UAH public funds embezzlement of the Public Joint-Stock Company (PJSC) «Ukrzaliznytsia» (Ukrainian railways). On May 3, 2019, eight suspects had been granted with access to the materials of the investigation. Then the indictment will be drawn up and sent to court.Among suspects there are:

- Head of the Board – General Director of the manufacturer of turnouts (Part 5 Article 27, Part 5 Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine);

- First Deputy Director General of the manufacturer of turnouts (Part 5 Article 27, Part 5 Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine);

- founder – Director of the fictitious company – the winner of the tender (Part 2 Article 27, Part 5 Article 191, Part 2 Article 27, Part 2 Article 28, Part 1 Article 205, Part 1 Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine);

- Director of the intermediary company (Part 2 Article 27, Part 5 Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine);

- three employees of the Branch of the Center for the Provision of Production of the PJSC «Ukrzaliznytsia» (Part 2 Article 27, Part 3 Article 358 and Part 5 Article 27, Part 5 Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

- former Deputy Head of the Branch of the Center for the Provision of Production of the PJSC «Ukrzaliznytsia» (who is also an assistant of the Member of Parliament of Ukraine) (Part 3 Article 27, Part 2 Article 28, Part 1 Article 205, Parts 2, 3 Article 27, Part 5 Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The investigation revealed that during December 2015 - March 2017 suspects organized the purchase of turntables at overpriced prices with the involvement of controlled intermediary companies for the needs of the PJSC «Ukrzaliznytsia». As a result, the funds of the Branch of the Center for the Provision of Production of the PJSC «Ukrzaliznytsia» in the amount of about 93.28 million UAH were embezzled.

The NABU Detectives based on the own materials started the pre-trial investigation of the abovementioned facts in June 2017.

In January 2019, 7 persons were given notices of suspicion. In February 2019, the NABU Detectives detained and gave notice of suspicion to one more participant of the corruption scheme – former Deputy Head of the Branch of the Center for the Provision of Production of the PJSC «Ukrzaliznytsia».

At the same time, the NABU Detectives believe that other persons may be involved in the commission of a crime, including Members of Parliament of Ukraine. The pre-trial investigation as of these facts is conducted within separate criminal proceeding, which is still in progress. In relation to one of the Member of Parliament, who, according to the investigation, is the organizer of the corruption scheme, a draft submission for criminal prosecution was prepared and sent to the Prosecutor`s Office.

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.