A preventive measure was imposed on former Deputy Foreign Minister Bankov
On August 3, the High Anti-Corruption Court imposed a pretrial measure on Oleksandr Bankov, former State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. He is suspected of involvement in the embezzlement of funds allocated as part of international aid.
The court ordered Oleksandr Bankov to be held in custody, with the alternative of posting bail in the amount of 10 million hryvnias.
According to the investigation, Bankov and his alleged accomplices are suspected of embezzling funds that the Japanese Embassy in Ukraine and an American foundation had transferred to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the civilian population during the war. Investigators believe that the participants in the scheme laundered the received funds through a series of legal entities and individuals.
During the hearing on the motion, the prosecutor stated that Bankov effectively controlled the non-governmental organization “Center for the Promotion of International Cooperation” and facilitated the signing of a memorandum with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to investigators, it was into this organization’s accounts that funds from international donors were transferred.
The prosecutor also emphasized the existence of risks which, in the prosecution’s view, justify pretrial detention. Specifically, these included the possibility of the suspect fleeing, destroying documents, and influencing other individuals involved in the case and witnesses.
The defense insisted that the allegations were unfounded and denied the illegal use of funds from international donors, specifically the Japanese Embassy.
After reviewing the case materials, the High Anti-Corruption Court ruled to remand Bankov into custody, setting an alternative preventive measure in the form of bail in the amount of 10 million hryvnias.
Source: Transparency International Ukraine
Previously, NABU uncovered a scheme to embezzle Western funds involving former State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bankov.
Ukraine is drafting a separate criminal offense for the illegal use of European Union funds. This is provided for in the National Anti-Fraud Strategy to protect the financial interests of Ukraine and the EU, which was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury commented on the possibility of aid embezzlement in Ukraine.
