Officers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) have detained, in Lviv, an official of the Ukrainian Railways` Ukrzaliznytsia branch for allegedly misappropriating more than UAH 13 million in public funds, according to the NABU press service.
The detained official is said to have misappropriated UAH 13.65 million in public funds using controlled entities, registered in Lviv region and the city of Lviv, when procuring wood for railway sleepers and beams at prices inflated by more than 80%. The fraud is believed to have occurred between2014 and the beginning of 2016.
The NABU officers suspect the official of violating Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (misappropriation, embezzlement of property, or its seizure by malpractice). NABU also announced it had seized some UAH 21 million held in accounts belonging to the controlled enterprises to compensate for damages and to ensure the confiscation of property.
If the court finds the detainee guilty, he could face imprisonment of seven to 12 years with confiscation of property and deprivation of the right to occupy certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years, NABU stated.
The press service also noted that the criminal investigation into the case was reclaimed from the General Prosecutor`s Office by NABU detectives in April 2016.
”The arrest was made possible because of the operations of the Lviv Territorial Office of NABU,” a statement said.
