Odesa region detains port manager on suspicion of collusion with businessmen

The head of one of the commercial seaports in Odesa region has been notified of suspicion of negligence and abuse of power in the procurement of equipment for unloading containers.

According to the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office, investigators found that the head of the state-owned enterprise and two officials, in collusion with an entrepreneur, organized the purchase of two telescopic loaders at an inflated price of almost UAH 20 million.

The real price, according to law enforcement, was UAH 12 million. As a result, according to investigators, there was an illegal misappropriation of funds of the state-owned enterprise in a particularly large amount of UAH 8 million.

The prosecutor's office charged the port director and his subordinates with suspicion under Article 367 (2) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (negligence), Article 364 (2) (abuse of power) and Article 191 (5) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (misappropriation of property on a large scale).

During the searches of the suspects' residences and office premises, the SBU found and seized documents that will be used as material evidence in the criminal proceedings. The maximum penalty under these articles is imprisonment for up to six years and a ban on holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities for up to three years.

A motion to remove the head of the state-owned enterprise from his position was filed with the court. A motion to impose preventive measures on all suspects has been prepared.

Кирило Бойко