"Samara-Western Direction oil product pipeline" case: probe into expert’s actions completed

On May 1, 2021, NABU and SAPO completed an investigation in respect of an expert who drew up an untrue report that was further used by court to reject the state’s ownership of a part of the Samara-Western Direction oil product pipeline. The case materials were disclosed to the defense for review. The actions of the expert fall under Part 3 Article 365-2, Part 2 Article 384 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. 

The investigation revealed that the expert's report was used in August 2017 by the Commercial Court of Rivne Region to renounce the state’s ownership of a part of the Samara-Western Direction oil product pipeline.

The Detectives established that the expert acted deliberately in favor of a private business. Thus, based on the court’s decision, Prikarpatzakhidtrans LLC unjustifiably took possession of the Ukrainian part of the Samara-Western Direction oil product pipeline being of great economic and defense importance.

NABU launched a pre-trial investigation into the above facts in 2017.

In February 2021, the expert was served with a notice of suspicion.

In the same month, following the motion of the NABU Detectives and SAPO Prosecutors, the High Anti-Corruption Court arrested the property of the technological complex of the Samara-Western Direction oil product pipeline located on Ukraine's territory. On February 23, 2021, the judge passed a ruling that prohibits the disposal, alienation, and use of facilities and pipeline sections directly involved in the operation of the abovementioned complex.

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.