Oschadbank USD 20-million embezzlement case sent to court

On Sept. 2, 2021, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) filed an indictment against 12 suspects in the probe into embezzling state-owned savings bank Oschadbank's USD 20 million.

They include:

• beneficiaries and managers of Creative Group enterprises;
• Oschadbank officials;
• an independent appraiser.

As established, in 2013-2015, the managers of Creative Group enterprises, in collusion with Oschadbank officials, forged documents and illegally received a USD 20-million loan from the state bank allegedly for the purchase of sunflower seeds.

Upon getting the funds, the Creative Group beneficiaries transferred them to the accounts of companies under their control, registered in Belize and Switzerland. Later on, they used the money to purchase the corporate rights to legal entities owning valuable real estate.

On Sept. 27, 2019, NABU and SAPO served a notice of suspicion to an ex-lawmaker, Creative Group beneficial owner and the mastermind behind the corruption scheme to seize the bank's funds. The proceedings against the MP are currently closed due to his death.

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.