Onyshchenko's "gas case": episodes involving ex-MP's accomplices

Case description

The NABU and the SAPO accuse members of a criminal organization created by former MP Oleksandr Onyshchenko of embezzling UAH 1.6 billion from the sale of natural gas at below-market prices.

According to the investigation, between 2013 and 2016 Onyshchenko organized a scheme under which gas produced by Ukrgazvydobuvannya was sold to his companies on fictitious exchanges at below-market prices. These companies then sold the gas to consumers at market prices, profiting from the price difference, which amounted to UAH 1.6 billion. As a result, Ukrgazvydobuvannya suffered losses exceeding UAH 740 million.

The NABU and the SAPO believe that three officials of PJSC Ukrgazvydobuvannya, together with five top managers of business entities, illegally appropriated funds received from the sale of natural gas extracted under joint activity agreements with Nadra Geocentre LLC, Khas Company and Karpatnadrainvest LLC between January 2013 and June 2016. In total, the investigation established the involvement of 30 people in the "gas scheme".

The case involves, among others, former Head of the State Fiscal Service Roman Nasirov, Kharkiv judge Tetiana Denysiuk, Onyshchenko’s mother Inesa Kadyrova (deceased, but proceedings continue in her regard), as well as his trusted associates Vadym Shlenchak, Olena Chentsova, Oleksandr Somov, Yurii Smagliuk, Oleksandr Serhiienko, Dmytro Kravchenko, and Mariana Hrechaniuk.  

The actions of the defendants are qualified under Article 255, Article 191(5), Article 209(3), Article 366(2), Article 364-1(2), and Article 388(1) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The court also added to this proceeding an episode involving the director of Gaz Trans Group LLC, Oleksandr Kantselyaruk, and the director of Naftogaz Trade LLC, Yevhen Bystritskyi. They were directors of companies that won auctions for the sale of natural gas at reduced prices. The gas was then resold at market prices, and the profits were laundered through financial transactions. These companies are believed to have been under Onyshchenko’s control. They are charged under Article 255(1), Article 191(5), and Article 209(3) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.