On June 19, 2017, the Detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) under the procedural guidance of the Anti-corruption prosecutors detained 7 persons involved in demanding and receiving improper advantage for the assistance to a foreign company in the realization of amber mining in Ukraine. The operation was implemented jointly with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (USA).
On June 20, 2017, 6 detained persons were given notices of suspicion. Two of them being the bodyguards of the Member of Parliament (MP) Boryslav Rosenblat. Another one is the assistant of the MP Maksym Polyakov. Three other suspects are representatives of Inter-Fragmental Deputy Association of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine “Parliamentary Control”.
The investigators supposed that the crime was committed with the participation of the two MPs - Boryslav Rozenblat and Maksym Polyakov.
Detectives are investigating at least five episodes of the criminal activity. The detained persons allegedly received an improper advantage in the amount more than 300 thousand USD from the representative of a foreign company.
The funds were used to prepare Draft Laws, to make an unlawful influence on officials of the State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre, the State Forestry Agency, the State Service of Geology and Mineral Resources of Ukraine, local self-government bodies, the courts and the Prosecutor's offices with the aim of unrestricted decision-making in favor of the abovementioned foreign company.
The NABU Detectives and the Anti-corruption prosecutors prepared a motion to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on giving consent to bringing two MPs (who were involved in corrupt scheme) to justice, detention and arrest.
During the investigative activities more than 100 kg of amber, firearms, ammunition, computer equipment, drafts and copies of documents containing information on the commission of a crime were seized.
Scheme of unlawful influence by Members of Parliament (MPs) on the issues of amber extraction: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nab_ukr/35445380176/
