"Yuzhnoukrainsk NPP" case: new suspects
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor`s Office (SAPO) have identified new participants in the scheme to embezzle UAH 12.3 million from Yuzhnoukrainsk NPP (a part of “National Nuclear Energy Generating Company “Energoatom” SE) during the purchase of air conditioning systems. They are a financial director and the nominal head of two companies. On Aug. 12, 2022, both were notified of suspicion under Part 5 Article 27, Part 5 Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Suspicions against the previously established participants in the scheme, its organizer (the actual head of the two companies) and the head of an NPP's department, have been updated.
According to the investigation, during 2011-2012, the head of the Production and Technical Equipment Department of Yuzhnoukrainsk NPP contributed to the victory of two commercial firms in a tender for the purchase of industrial air conditioning systems conducted by the NPP. The equipment was supplied at inflated prices, while the state suffered losses in the amount of over UAH 12.3 million. In July 2021, the official faced charges under Part 5 Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
During the investigation, NABU established the involvement of two more persons: the financial director of one of the companies that provided financing for the criminal scheme and the actual head of the two companies that contributed to overestimating the cost of the equipment supplied to the NPP.
This is the second episode of corruption at Yuzhnoukrainsk NPP. The first one concerned the embezzlement of almost UAH 28 million during the purchase of switchboard equipment. The case involving 17 people is being heard by the High Anti-Corruption Court.
The total amount of funds lost by the state enterprise within the two episodes makes almost UAH 40 million.
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.
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.