Case of Soborna Square reconstruction: investigation completed

On Jan. 18, 2021, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) completed an investigation into a corruption scheme used by local officials to embezzle more than UAH 26,8 million from the city budget during the reconstruction of Soborna Square in Mykolaiv. The case materials were disclosed for review. There are nine persons involved in the scheme:

• the Deputy Mayor of Mykolaiv;
• the First Deputy Director of a Mykolaiv City Council department;
• heads of private companies, one of them being a deputy of the Odesa City Council.

The actions of the suspects fall under Part 5 Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Four heads of private companies were also charged under Part 2 Art. 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

As established, in 2019, the Mykolaiv City Council announced a tender for the reconstruction of the city's Soborna Square. The Deputy Mayor of Mykolaiv and the First Deputy Director of one of the City Council departments, abusing their authority, under a preliminary conspiracy with six persons - directors of private companies - secured a victory in the tender of a predetermined company which eventually performed all works. However, according to an expert report, the works were carried out at inflated prices, while the local budget paid an extra UAH 26.8 million.

In August 2021, NABU and SAPO notified all participants in the scheme of suspicion.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered non-guilty in the commission of a crime and cannot be subject to criminal punishment until he or she is found guilty by court.