Criminal proceedings are investigated under Part 5 of Art. 191 of the Criminal code of Ukraine. According to preliminary data, the amount of damage may reach over UAH 80 million. Necessary investigative actions are underway, the circle of persons involved in the commission of this crime is being established.
Investigators of the Main Investigation Department of the National Police launched a pre-trial investigation in May 2019 based on a report from the State Audit Office of Ukraine. It was established that the officials of the budget manager, general contractor and two other companies set up a scheme of embezzlement of budget funds by overestimating the volume and cost of work during the construction of the capital’s Podilsky Bridge.
The police found out that during 2019-2020, the defendants concluded agreements with 6 companies for a total of more than 4 billion hryvnias. The funds were transferred to subcontractors, but no work was actually carried out. And part of these funds was withdrawn into the shadows.
In the evening of July 17, as part of a pre-trial investigation into the alleged organizer and executor of the scheme of embezzlement of budget funds during the construction of the Podilsky Bridge in Kyiv, 17 authorized searches were conducted.
Investigative actions were carried out by officers of the Strategic Investigations Department in the city of Kyiv DSR and investigators of the Main Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine under the procedural guidance of the Office of the Prosecutor General.
During the searches, law enforcement officers found and seized documents, draft records and other media with information that may confirm the involvement of the suspects in the crime. Material evidence will be sent for appropriate examinations.
Investigators accuse the defendants of committing an offense under Part 5 of Art. 191 of the Criminal code of Ukraine, it is appropriation, waste of property or taking over it by abuse of office. The perpetrators face up to twelve years in prison with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years and confiscation of property.
Department of Strategic Investigations
National Police of Ukraine
