Kherson exposes embezzlement of funds of the Department of Civil Protection

In Kherson, the court refused to return the indictment in the case of embezzlement of budget funds of one of the departments. Three defendants and two commercial companies are suspected of forgery and misappropriation of public funds.

This is evidenced by the ruling of the Kherson City Court.

The investigation accuses the three people of organizing criminal schemes. According to the indictment, the funds intended for the purchase of goods for the needs of the Department of Civil Protection and Defense of the Kherson Regional State Administration were transferred to the accounts of commercial companies, but the service was never provided. The ruling states that the contract with Ecotransservice-21 LLC caused damage in the amount of UAH 7,920,609, and the contract with Zolotyi Klevier LLC - UAH 3,940,126.

During the preliminary hearing, the defendant's defense counsel filed a motion to return the indictment. He argued that the document did not contain information about all investigators, which limits the right to challenge, and the wording of the charge was vague.

The prosecutor emphasized that the document complies with the requirements of the criminal procedure law, all evidence has been collected and is under the control of the prosecution. The prosecutor also emphasized the risk of absconding and the possibility of influencing witnesses, as their interrogations have not yet been conducted.

The court dismissed the defense's motion to return the indictment and ordered the Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office to provide information on the referral of the criminal proceedings to the Prosecutor General's Office, the Bureau of Economic Security, etc.

It was also decided to extend the term of detention for two defendants until December 5, 2025, and the term of the defendant's bail was extended by two months until December 7, 2025. The court took into consideration the Department's claim for recovery of material damage in the amount of over UAH 11 million from the three defendants.

In September, a Kherson court arrested part of the company's director's house in a case of embezzlement of budget funds for school repairs. The businessman is also suspected of misappropriating the city's money and forgery.

Анна Бальчінос