According to materials from the ESBU, individuals involved in a scheme to embezzle UAH 5 million during well repairs will be tried in the Poltava region

 Detectives from the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau in Ukraine in the Poltava region have completed a pre-trial investigation into the head of a private enterprise who, with the assistance of a former top official and manager of a gas production company, illegally appropriated more than UAH 5 million in state funds during the overhaul of wells in the Poltava region.

During the investigation, detectives discovered that the gas production company had conducted a public procurement for supervisory support to repair the wells. The main condition for providing the service was that the contractor had qualified employees with valid International Well Control Forum certificates. This is an international confirmation of a specialist's competence in the field of well safety and control, which certifies that the specialist knows how to act in emergencies, such as oil, gas, or water spills.

The private company that submitted a bid for the tender, along with all the relevant documents, did not actually have any certified employees. However, a former top official of a gas production company, in agreement with the manager, used his connections to facilitate the conclusion of a public procurement contract with this contractor and the signing of acts for allegedly provided services.

As a result of the illegal actions of the persons involved, more than UAH 5 million was transferred from the budget.

The head of the private enterprise was notified of suspicion under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—misappropriation of another's property through abuse of official position and committed under martial law on an especially large scale—and Part 1 of Article 366—the preparation and issuance by an official of knowingly false official documents.

A former top official and manager of a gas production company has been notified of suspicions under Part 5 of Article 27 and Part 5 of Article 191—aiding and abetting in the appropriation of another's property through abuse of official position and committed under martial law on an especially large scale.

In order to ensure the confiscation of property as a form of punishment and compensation for damages caused as a result of a criminal offense, during the pre-trial investigation, the corporate rights (shares in the authorized capital of companies), real estate, and vehicles of the suspects were seized.

The materials of the criminal proceedings have been sent to the court.

The proceedings are being supervised by the Poltava Regional Prosecutor's Office, with operational support provided by the Security Service of Ukraine in the Poltava region.