In Kharkiv, the prosecutor's office and police have exposed an organization headed by the former deputy mayor of the city. The participants in the scheme are suspected of embezzling UAH 5.4 million from the budget. This money was allocated for the construction of fortifications.
This was reported by Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko.
Criminal organization led by former deputy mayor of Kharkov exposed
The criminal organization included five people: the organizer himself, two heads of enterprises and two private entrepreneurs. According to the investigation, the organizer, together with the director of one of the contractor firms, attracted other intermediary companies and entrepreneurs.
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Through them, goods for fortifications were purchased at prices inflated by more than 30% above market prices.
— The investigation has established that as a result of the group's criminal activity, the state suffered damage in the amount of UAH 5.4 million. As part of the pre-trial investigation, other episodes of the activity of this criminal organization will be examined, — Kravchenko said.
Law enforcement officers have already conducted a series of searches in Kharkov and the region, during which they seized computer equipment, accounting and financial documents.
The suspects were informed of the suspicion; they are accused of participating in a criminal organization with the aim of embezzling budget funds on an especially large scale during martial law.
The defendants in the case have already been detained. A petition has been filed with the court to select a preventive measure in the form of detention without setting the amount of bail.
Media sources, in particular RBC-Ukraine, reported that suspicion was announced against the former deputy mayor of Kharkiv and city council member from the Kernes Bloc – Successful Kharkiv party, Andrey Rudenko.
According to the Prosecutor General, the organizer of the criminal group was served with a notice of suspicion under Part 1 of Article 255, Part 3 of Article 27, Part 4 of Article 28, Part 4 of Article 191, Part 3 of Article 27, Part 4 of Article 28, Part 5 of Article 191, Part 3 of Article 27, Part 4 of Article 28, Part 1 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. While the perpetrators were charged under Part 3 of Article 255, Part 4 of Article 28, Part 4 of Article 191, Part 4 of Article 28, Part 5 of Article 191, Part 4 of Article 28, Part 1 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
– The funds stolen from the budget must be returned to the state in full. And this applies not only to this case. And I warn everyone who wants to get rich on defense or the army – you will be held accountable with all severity, – Kravchenko emphasized.
