The SBU conducted searches at the Kharkiv City Council

The Security Service of Ukraine and the prosecutor’s office conducted searches at the Department of Digital Transformation of the Kharkiv City Council in connection with a case involving embezzlement of public funds. The investigative actions began early in the morning on May 14 as part of an investigation into financial misconduct. 

This was reported by Suspilne.

Mayor Ihor Terekhov stated that he learned of the law enforcement visit from the media and emphasized that no one in City Hall is above the law. According to him, if violations are confirmed, those responsible will be held accountable under the law, regardless of their past merits. The mayor also announced the creation of a special task force to combat corruption and abuse within city agencies.

According to the Kharkiv Anti-Corruption Center, the investigation concerns possible fraud during procurement using public funds. Law enforcement officials are reviewing the department’s documentation to determine the extent of potential losses incurred by the community. As of now, no official charges have been filed against specific officials in connection with this case.

Previously, police detained an organized group that used forged documents to register state-owned land plots in the names of fictitious individuals for subsequent sale, causing significant losses to the state.

Law enforcement officials have notified the former and current directors, as well as the head of the department at one of the railcar manufacturing enterprises, of their status as suspects. According to the investigation, they are involved in the supply of substandard rolling stock to Ukrzaliznytsia, which caused losses of over 64 million hryvnias.