Court Orders Odessa's "Musa," the Prosecutor in the "Carthage" Case, to Remain in Pretrial Detention

The Appeals Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court upheld the pretrial restraint measure imposed on Yelyzaveta Ivakhnenko, known as “Musa,” a defendant in the NABU and SAPO “Carthage” case. She remains in custody with the option of posting bail set at 20 million hryvnias.

This was reported by the MEZA Anti-Corruption Center.

According to the center, the defense requested that Ivakhnenko be released from custody altogether and that a less restrictive pretrial measure be imposed—such as a personal pledge or house arrest with an electronic ankle monitor. As an alternative, the lawyers asked for the bail to be significantly reduced, insisting that 20 million hryvnias is an exorbitant sum for her, exceeding her income.

The lawyers also claimed that Ivakhnenko was unaware of the existence of a criminal organization and was allegedly not involved in “protecting” call centers. She herself stated in court that she does not admit guilt.

Responding to the court’s questions, Ivakhnenko explained that she holds two higher education degrees—in law and philosophy. Until August 2025, she worked at a higher education institution, and subsequently registered as a sole proprietor and began providing legal and consulting services.

When the judge asked several times to whom exactly she had provided these services, Ivakhnenko replied.

“That’s a trade secret,” said “Musa.”

According to her, between 2020 and 2025 she earned 3.388 million hryvnias in income, and in 2025 alone, as a sole proprietor, she earned 7 million hryvnias. Ivakhnenko explained the expensive gifts by saying she was in a relationship and had many suitors.

Connection to the “Chancellor”

The prosecutor drew attention to Ivakhnenko’s connection with Serhiy Kropiva —the “Chancellor” in the NABU recordings. According to him, Ivakhnenko’s move to Kyiv coincided with Kropiva’s transfer to the Office of the Prosecutor General.

“Specific actions taken by the suspect were documented. Could they indicate that she did not understand the nature of her actions? Obviously not,” the prosecutor stated.

He also noted that $7,000 had been received through one of the call centers.

Ivakhnenko requested that the ban on communicating with her mother and younger brother be lifted, but the Appeals Chamber denied the defense’s appeal in its entirety.

According to the prosecutor, Ivakhnenko is registered as the owner of a 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 350, purchased in 2025 for $60,000, as well as a 152-square-meter non-residential property in Pechersk with a market value of 16.8 million hryvnias. In 2026, she also sought to purchase a parking space in the “Zhemchuzhina” residential complex in Odesa for $25,000–26,000.

Ivakhnenko’s mother, whom she involved in the scheme by registering her as a sole proprietor, has an apartment in Odesa with an area of nearly 65 square meters registered in her name.

What Is “Carthage”?

NABU and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) conducted a special operation codenamed “Carthage” to expose a criminal group within the Office of the Prosecutor General. According to the investigation, the organization provided “protection” for a network of fraudulent call centers and laundered the proceeds.

The main suspect in the case is Serhiy Kropiva, head of the Department of International Cooperation at the Office of the Prosecutor General, known as “Chancellor.” On September 6, he was taken into custody with the possibility of posting bail set at 120 million hryvnias.

On September 7, a pretrial measure was imposed on Yelyzaveta Ivakhnenko, another suspect in the case, and on September 8, Oleksandr Didych, Kropiva’s lawyer and trusted associate, was taken into custody.

In addition, NABU and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) conducted searches at the residence of Oleg Kiper, head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration.

Ірина Глухова