On December 13, 2016, the Detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine jointly with prosecutors of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office gave a notice of suspicion to the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Ukraine (CEC) for allegedly committing a crime under Part 3 and Part 4 Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Taking a bribe of gross amount by an official who occupies a responsible position). The abovementioned articles were applicable at the time the crime had been allegedly committed. The total amount of bribes, the suspect has allegedly received, is 161,698 USD that, at the time of the offense, was equal to 1,294,438 UAH according to the exchange rate of the National Bank of Ukraine.
The investigation revealed that in 2012 when performing his professional duties, the Chairman of the CEC traveled abroad six times, and his travel expenses were allegedly financed by the Party of Regions. The relevant information was found in the evidentiary material, attached to the case of the so-called “black ledger” of the Party of Regions. The suspect was given a notification of interrogation.
It should be reminded that on May 2016 the NABU started a pre-trial investigation upon the request of the former First Deputy Chairman of the Security Service of Ukraine.