Corruption scheme with fertilizers at Odesa Port Plant: new details

The pre-trial investigation of the scheme led by a former MP, which resulted in losses of more than UAH 94 million for the Odesa Port Plant, has been completed in Odesa region.

This was reported by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.

During the investigation, it was found that from March to December 2015, the former MP, together with his proxy, organized an illegal scheme for the sale of mineral fertilizers. Under this scheme, the OPP sold products at reduced prices to a predetermined company. The latter allegedly resold the fertilizers at market prices to foreign buyers. In reality, however, the fertilizers were supplied directly through the OPP, which led to significant financial losses for the plant.

The parties are currently familiarizing themselves with the investigation materials, after which the indictment will be submitted to the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) for consideration on the merits.

In addition, the court granted permission to conduct a special pre-trial investigation against three suspects who are currently wanted, including the organizer of the scheme, a former MP.

The SAPO does not name the MP, but according to Intent, it is Oleksandr Hranovskyi.

After all, Hranovsky is a defendant in a case related to the Odesa Port Plant. He was served with a notice of suspicion in October 2022. According to the investigation, the former MP organized a scheme that operated from March to December 2015, and the plant lost more than UAH 94 million in revenue as a result.

In March 2020, the investigation served suspicion notices to four participants in the scheme, including the ex-MP's trustee, the plant's deputy director, the head of the OPP department, and the owner of a non-resident company involved in the corruption scheme. In November 2022, the NABU put Hranovsky on the wanted list.

In April 2022, the OPP suspended the labor contract with some of its employees due to the Russian invasion. Prior to that, the plant was scheduled to be launched on June 1, 2022, but due to Russian shelling, this did not happen.

In November 2022, the Odesa Port Plant completed the conversion of its production facilities to ship grain to sea for export.

Ірина Глухова