The SSU and the SBI have carried out investigative actions against a Ukrainian MP who, despite the ban on officials traveling abroad during the war, went on vacation to islands in the Indian Ocean.

The criminal proceedings have been initiated against the Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence.

It was established that in mid-July this year, the deputy was staying in a hotel on the island of Ithaafushi in the Maldives.

According to findings, false information was entered into official documents for traveling abroad in order to illegally leave Ukraine, in particular, regarding the duration, purpose, and country of the "official business trip" of the MP.

At present, it has been confirmed that in July, the deputy went on a working visit to a neighboring European country for three days.

There, on July 10, he remotely opened a sick leave in a private clinic in Kyiv until July 19, 2023. Moreover, false information was entered into the electronic health records without an actual medical examination.

According to the investigation, the deputy and his family - a wife and children - were staying in the territory of the Republic of Maldives, at Waldorf Astoria Maldives hotel, until July 22.

During searches of MP’s home, the SSU found a foreign passport with Maldives visa stamps.

The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime and bring the perpetrators to justice within the criminal proceedings initiated by the Prosecutor General under Article 366.1 of the CCU (forgery).

In addition, the SSU is verifying the MP's contacts during his stay abroad.

Information on the possible travel of other deputies and officials for foreign vacations during the war is also being checked.

In case such facts are revealed, each of them will be given the appropriate legal qualification, and those responsible for violating the current legislation will be brought to justice.

The SSU and the SBI are conducting the investigation under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.