Prosecutor Kropiva is suspected of embezzling state property following trips to Bukovel

The Office of the Prosecutor General has opened a criminal case against Serhiy Kropiva, the former deputy head of the Department of International Legal Cooperation. He is suspected of possible embezzlement of state property and of entering false information into official documents.

Acting Prosecutor General Anton Kovalsky announced this during a meeting with journalists, according to Ukrinform.

According to Kovalsky, the criminal case was registered following the results of an internal investigation. The State Bureau of Investigations has been tasked with investigating the case.

During the internal audit, as noted by the head of the Office of the Prosecutor General, numerous instances were identified in which Kropiva used an official vehicle belonging to the Office of the Prosecutor General for personal purposes. It was also revealed that he was in Bukovel during working hours.

Kovalsky added that, based on the results of the internal investigation, the official’s actions were deemed a disciplinary offense. The relevant materials were forwarded to the Qualification and Disciplinary Commission for Prosecutors. Kropiva himself was suspended from his position.

According to the acting Prosecutor General, the official will most likely be dismissed from the prosecutor’s office.

Criminal proceedings were initiated under Part 4 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—misappropriation or embezzlement of property on an especially large scale or by an organized group—as well as under Part 1 of Article 366—official forgery.

Андрій Колісніченко