The SSU jointly with the NABU exposed a criminal scheme of embezzlement of budget funds, which included sale of state agricultural products to commercial entities.

The leadership of a state-owned enterprise of the Steppe Agriculture Institute of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine is involved in organizing the scheme.

In 2021, the officials sold a wholesale batch of crops to representatives of an affiliated company at an artificially low cost. The amount was several times lower than the market price.

In this way, the participants of the scheme caused losses to the state budget of over UAH 28.5 mln (USD 744,000).

To implement the scheme, the organizers entered false information in reporting, financial and business documentation.

The forensic examination initiated by the SSU confirmed the fact of unlawful activity and the amount of state losses.

During the searches of the suspects’ offices and homes, the SSU found documents and other evidence confirming the fact of the fraud.

Based on the evidence collected, the following persons were served notices of suspicion under Article 191.5 (misappropriation, embezzlement or seizure of property through abuse of office, committed on a large scale or by an organized group):

• director of the state enterprise;
• chief accountant;
• head of the controlled commercial entity;
• deputy director of the Research Information and Analytical Center of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences.

Court is to decide on measures of restraint. The investigation is ongoing.

The offenders are facing up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The SSU exposed the offence under the procedural supervision of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.