The NABU suspects former State Fiscal Service head Roman Nasirov of accepting a UAH 722-million bribe in exchange for facilitating VAT refunds to agricultural companies owned by businessman Oleh Bakhmatiuk, and of suspecting Bakhmatyuk's father-in-law, businessman Oleksandr Hlimbovskyi, of laundering those funds.
What is Nasirov accused of?
Investigators believe that Roman Nasirov, as head of the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine, accepted a USD 5.5 million bribe from Bakhmatiuk, owner of Ukrlandfarming, for a refund of more than UAH 540 million in VAT. The ex-official is also accused of receiving more than EUR 21 million in exchange for refunding almost UAH 2.7 billion in VAT between February 2015 and August 2016.
For these actions, the former head of the SFS would charge about 20% of the VAT refund. The owner of the agricultural holding Bakhmatiuk transferred the bribes to the accounts of RN Group Limited, Lamagan Ventures Limited, and Newline Leader Ltd, controlled by Nasirov or his close associates. The NABU and SAPO believe that Nasirov received illegal benefits for prioritizing VAT refunds to Bakhmatiu's companies, ignoring the need for such compensation to other eligible companies, including utility companies.
The defendants in this case are both Nasirov himself and his assistant, Oleksandr Kostenko, who is currently in the United States of America, hiding from justice. The case materials against Oleh Bakhmatiuk and Roman Nasirov were consolidated into a single proceeding.
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The bribe laundering episode
In addition, a court later merged this case with a separate episode involving the laundering of the 21 million euros received by Nasirov, allegedly carried out by his father-in-law, businessman Oleksandr Hlimbovskyi, and advisor Oleksandr Kostenko.
According to investigators, Oleksandr Hlimbovskyi, as the beneficial owner of the Altis Group, facilitated his son-in-law Roman Nasirov's receipt of a portion of the bribe (approximately EUR 13 million) and its subsequent laundering. The funds were moved through an offshore company under his control and then, between 2017 and 2018, laundered through investments in residential and office developments in Kyiv, with the transactions disguised as banking settlements between foreign companies.
These assets include, among others, 76 apartments in the Terracotta residential complex and other properties, which were seized for potential special confiscation but later had those seizures lifted.
The remaining portion of the funds — around 7.9 million euros — was allegedly laundered by Oleksandr Kostenko through fictitious agreements. Investigators believe he also participated in negotiations with representatives of Oleh Bakhmatiuk regarding the VAT refunds and the mechanics of delivering the bribe.
Nasirov is charged under Article 368(4) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Bakhmatiuk is charged under Article 369(4) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Hlimbovskyi's actions are qualified under Article 27(5), Article 368(4), and Article 209(3) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, and Kostenko's actions are qualified under Article 209(3) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Initially, Roman Nasirov was ordered into pre-trial detention, with an alternative option of bail set at UAH 523 million. The defense repeatedly filed motions to reduce the bail, citing the accused’s poor health and the excessive amount set. The High Anti-Corruption Court has repeatedly reduced the amount of bail. Ultimately, in May 2024, when the HACC reduced the bail to UAH 55 million, the amount was paid, and Nasirov was released from the pre-trial detention center.
What else is known about Nasirov?
In addition to this case, he is also implicated in the “gas scheme” of former MP Oleksandr Onyshchenko. There, the HACC sentenced Nasirov to six years’ imprisonment.
In 2017, Nasirov was suspended from his position as Head of the State Fiscal Service, and in early 2018, he was dismissed by the Cabinet of Ministers. Later, the infamous Kyiv District Administrative Court reinstated Nasirov in his position. Nasirov waived the claims.
Nasirov is also known for the incident when the suspicion was read to him in Feofania Hospital, and he was later taken to court covered in a checkered blanket.
Also in 2017, a SAPO prosecutor reported that Nasirov held British and Hungarian citizenship. Nasirov’s British citizenship was also confirmed by the Ukrainian ambassador to the United Kingdom at the time. In the spring of 2021, the defendant also attempted to obtain a repatriate visa to Israel, but the court regarded this as a potential indication of intent to flee Ukraine.
In addition, he became well known for his political career. In 2019, while under investigation and on trial, he ran for President of Ukraine but finished at the bottom of the rankings.
On April 9, 2025, it became known that Nasirov voluntarily mobilized into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. However, the Military Law Enforcement Service reported the very next day that the commander had deemed the order to summon the ex-official unlawful and had annulled it. All materials were then handed over to the law enforcement authorities for proper legal assessment.
The next day, Nasirov suddenly arrived at a hearing on the case of alleged receipt of a bribe. When it became known about the cancellation of the order on mobilization, the HACC continued his procedural duties, in particular, he sustained the obligation to wear an electronic bracelet.
Later, Roman Nasirov posted on his Facebook page that although he was formally exempt from military service as a father of three minor children, he had "decided to replace the guys who have been serving for three years now." As a result, he served in the ranks of the Armed Forces for only three months.
25/05/2023
