NABU and SAPO exposed a corruption scheme involving high-ranking officials of the SBU, the National Police, and the Prosecutor General’s Office

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office reported new revelations within the framework of Operation Carthage. According to the investigation, members of the criminal organization systematically handed over bribes to high-ranking officials of law enforcement agencies in exchange for facilitating the activities of fraudulent call centers and other illegal businesses.

NABU and SAPO reported this on November 4, reports the publication Slovo i Dilo.

Officials of several law enforcement agencies may have been involved in the corruption scheme

According to anti-corruption agencies, current high-ranking officials of the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police, the Prosecutor General’s Office, as well as representatives of the criminal environment were involved in the alleged criminal activity.

The investigation is establishing the circumstances of the operation of a scheme under which representatives of illegal businesses could receive protection from law enforcement officers in exchange for systematic illegal profits.

This concerns, in particular, ensuring the unhindered operation of fraudulent call centers and other illegal commercial structures.

A high-ranking SBU official is named among the possible suspects

According to sources of the publication “Word and Deed”, one of the possible participants in the organization is the first deputy head of the Department for the Protection of National Statehood of the SBU Serhiy Duka.

According to the publication, on the morning of November 4, the official allegedly obstructed the search and threatened to use weapons.

At the same time, the official’s official statement, cited in the publication, does not contain confirmation of the name of this official. Information about his possible involvement requires further procedural confirmation.

What is known about Operation Carthage

Operation Carthage covers the investigation of alleged corruption involving representatives of the law enforcement system.

Earlier, NABU and SAPO reported on the exposure of a criminal organization, which, according to the investigation, was headed by an official of the Prosecutor General’s Office.

As part of the investigation, law enforcement officers conducted searches, in particular, at the deputy head of the Department of International Cooperation of the Prosecutor General’s Office, Serhiy Kropyva.

Subsequently, a bail of 3 million hryvnias was posted for Serhiy Kutsy, who is called Kropyva’s personal driver and a person involved in the case.

It also became known that the position held by Kropyva in the Prosecutor General’s Office was eliminated.

In addition, the High Anti-Corruption Court previously chose a preventive measure in the form of detention for the former head of the department of the Prosecutor General’s Office Ivan Tymoshenko, who is a suspect in this case. The court provided for the possibility of posting bail.

Investigation continues

New reports from NABU and SAPO indicate an expansion of the circle of persons whose possible involvement in the corruption scheme is being investigated by law enforcement officers.

The investigation continues to establish the roles of the alleged participants in the organization, the mechanisms for transferring illegal benefits, and the circumstances of ensuring the activities of the illegal business.

At the same time, reports of exposure and the presence of suspicions do not mean proving guilt.In accordance with the principle of the presumption of innocence, a person is considered innocent until his guilt is established by a final court verdict of conviction.