Embezzlement of Derzhinformiust funds: new episode

On April 27, 2022, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) notified former Derzhinformiust State Enterprise Director General of suspicion of misappropriating over UAH 7.7 million of public funds. His actions fall under Part 3 Art. 27, Part 5 Art. 191, and Part 3 Art. 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

As the investigation sees the risk of suspect going into hiding, NABU and SAPO will request that he be taken into custody.

As established, during January 2014-February 2015, the executive of Derzhinformiust (at the time of the crime) conspired with four entrepreneurs to conclude contracts between the state enterprise and controlled companies for the supply of the TrueConf software. Finally, the companies did not provide any services, while the software, as the detectives found out, was not at all needed. The suspect later transferred the embezzled funds to foreign companies registered in Cyprus, Germany, Great Britain, and Panama. Such actions caused Derzhinformiust more than UAH 7.7 million in losses.

Investigative actions are underway, more participants in the crime are to face charges.

Interestingly, the executive in question is accused in another case investigated by NABU and SAPO. Detectives found that he and other inpiduals had seized UAH 7.4 million from the state-owned enterprise by concluding contracts for the supply of overpriced products, as well as paying for software development services that were never provided. The case has been heard in court since November 2020.

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.