The SSU exposed a scheme of misappropriating budget funds allocated for procurement of products for the Defence Forces in the frontline districts of Mykolaiv oblast.

According to the investigation, the embezzlement scheme was organized by the first deputy head of Voznesensk town territorial community.

He involved two of his subordinates - officials of the town council’s accounting department, as well as the head of a local charity foundation.

The group set up a criminal mechanism for diverting budget funds allocated for public procurement of defence products to shadow economy.

According to preliminary data, the officials caused losses to the state amounting to almost UAH 1 mln (USD 26,500).

During the searches of the suspects’ offices, homes and cars, the SSU found:

• computer equipment, documents and draft records with evidence of unlawful actions;
• over UAH 1 million in Hryvnia equivalent.

Based on the collected evidence, the first deputy mayor and his three accomplices were notified of suspicion under Article 191.5 of the CCU (misappropriation, embezzlement or seizure of property through abuse of office, committed on a large scale).

Court is to choose a measure of restraint.

The investigation is ongoing. The suspects are facing up to 12 years in prison.

The SSU Office in Mykolaiv region exposed the offence jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of a crime and cannot be subject to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in line with the procedure defined by law and established by a relevant court’s verdict.