NABU detains former director of Chorazmorshlyakh

Detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine have detained the former head of the state-owned enterprise Black Sea-Azov Sea Route Production and Maintenance Department (Chorazmorshlyakh), which is located in Chornomorsk, Odesa region.

This was reported by the NABU press service.

According to the investigation, in January 2020, the acting head of the company initiated the sale of the main fleet maintenance base in the port of Chornomorsk, a 4.3-hectare facility with access to the sea. At that time, the alienation of property was prohibited due to the moratorium, but the official engaged an appraiser who artificially lowered the value from at least UAH 59 million to UAH 6.5 million. As a result, the fleet base was sold to accomplices through illegal bidding for UAH 13.5 million.

PHOTO: NABU

Later, the object was contributed to the authorized capital of the LLC co-organizer of the scheme, i.e., the property, probably obtained by criminal means, was legalized. Subsequently, the funds in the amount of UAH 11.5 million received by the SOE from the sale of the fleet base were transferred to the controlled company allegedly for the maintenance of the Genichesk and Khersones vessels. In fact, these vessels were in India, and the controlled company had nothing to do with their maintenance.

The NABU and the SAPO served four participants in the fraud with notices of suspicion. Two of them, the appraiser and the co-organizer, were served in absentia.

The former head of the state enterprise and the accomplice were detained. The actions of the former acting head of the state enterprise were classified as misappropriation of property; the actions of the appraiser were classified as misappropriation and misleading state authorities; the accomplice, in addition to misappropriation of property, is charged with money laundering, as is the fourth suspect.

Кирило Бойко