NABU registers proceedings on possible extortion from SBU for Bakanov

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau has registered criminal proceedings on the facts of possible receipt of undue advantage by former high-ranking officials of the Security Service of Ukraine, following public statements by Ukrainian businessman from Odesa Serhiy Vahanyan in the media.

This was reported by ZN.UA with reference to the NABU press service.

The case was classified under Part 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - acceptance of an offer, promise or receipt of an undue advantage by an official in a particularly large amount or by an organized group, and Part 4 of Article 369 - an offer or promise of an undue advantage to an official who holds a particularly responsible position, as well as the provision of such an advantage for the commission or omission by the official in the interests of the person who offers, promises or provides such an advantage, or in the interests of a third party, of any action using the power granted to him or her.

According to the businessman, Ivan Bakanov, who headed the SBU, and Andriy Naumov, who was the head of the Main Department of Internal Security, turned the Security and Defense Council sanctions into their own business project. Vahanyan also said that the SBU was actually run by Naumov, while Bakanov was only a liaison between Naumov and President Zelensky. At the same time, he said, even after a series of personnel reshuffles, Naumov's people still remain in the SBU and other government agencies and have influence.

Odesa-based businessman Serhiy Vahanyan accused the first head of the SBU under President Zelenskyy, Ivan Bakanov, and the then head of the agency's internal security, Andriy Naumov, of systematically forcing him to pay tribute in exchange for unimpeded business. According to Vahanian, his business was related to medical supplies and grain crops.

According to Vahanian, he sometimes transported funds for Naumov and Bakanov by his own helicopter. It was millions of dollars a month, sometimes as much as $10 million. He also released several photographic proofs that he had taken, which he identified as illegal payments to Bakanov and Naumov. Two of them were made in person.

Кирило Бойко