A court acquitted a defendant in the case involving the embezzlement of humanitarian aid in Zaporizhzhia
A woman implicated in a case involving the possible embezzlement of humanitarian aid in Zaporizhzhia was acquitted of the charge of illegal possession of weapons, which were discovered during searches in 2022.
During the investigation in 2022, searches were conducted, among others, at the home of Kateryna Simonova, director of the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Zaporizhzhia City Council.
The following items were seized during the searches:
- a Browning pistol;
- ammunition for it;
- several grams of a “powder-like substance”;
- traces of this substance on a 1,000 Hungarian forint bill.
The court acquitted Kateryna Simonova in the case regarding the illegal possession of a firearm.
According to the defense, the official received the weapon from her superiors for self-defense in case of a possible incursion by occupying forces into Zaporizhzhia.
It is also noted that in late February 2022, certain deputy mayors and department heads were allegedly ordered to obtain weapons from the National Police Headquarters for self-defense and a possible evacuation to the “gray zone.”
No punishment will be imposed for the charge of drug possession either, as the statute of limitations has expired in this case.
Kateryna Simonova currently serves as the head of the department for cooperation with local government bodies at Metinvest.
It was also previously reported that she was seen wearing a military uniform without proper authorization.
In the four years since the criminal provision regarding the embezzlement of humanitarian aid and charitable donations came into effect, Ukrainian courts have actually sentenced only five people to prison. Most of the defendants avoided imprisonment thanks to plea agreements with prosecutors, receiving suspended sentences or fines.
Previously, internal and security personnel of the State Border Guard Service, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, shut down operations involving the illegal sale of vehicles imported from the EU under the guise of humanitarian aid.
