The ESBU has referred the case of a state institution manager to court, who allegedly embezzled property worth over UAH 5 million

 Detectives from the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Chernivtsi region have completed a pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings into the embezzlement of property by the head of a state agricultural research station. The case has been transferred to the court.

This is the second indictment that the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine has sent to court against this official. Both indictments relate to similar schemes of embezzlement of state property, with losses exceeding UAH 5 million in each case.

According to the investigation, in 2023, the head of the institution concluded several agreements with private entities for the sale of agricultural products at prices significantly below their market value. To make the deal appear legitimate, following the sale, he drew up a cost recalculation report, allegedly due to a deterioration in product quality. As an explanation for the low price, the defendant pointed to the need for additional processing of the goods — specifically, cleaning and drying — which the buyer was required to carry out at their own expense.

As a result of these actions, the state institution lost more than UAH 5 million in revenue.

The indictment under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (misappropriation, embezzlement, or conversion of property through abuse of official position, committed under martial law on an especially large scale) has been sent to court.

Operational support was provided by the Security Service of Ukraine. Procedural guidance was provided by the Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor's Office.