Case description
The NABU suspects former head of the SFS (State Fiscal Service of Ukraine) Roman Nasirov of receiving UAH 722 million in bribes for VAT refunds to agricultural companies of businessman Oleh Bakhmatiuk.
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 former 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.
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Roman Nasirov
Oleh Bakhmatiuk
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.
Nasirov is charged under Article 368, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Bakhmatiuk is charged under Article 369, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Another criminal proceeding is also investigating the laundering of EUR 21 million allegedly received by Nasirov, his father-in-law, businessman Oleksandr Hlimbovskyi, and advisor Oleksandr Kostenko. According to law enforcement, Nasirov’s father-in-law laundered money through the purchase of Metropol, an unfinished residential and office complex with parking, located in the center of Kyiv. The defendants also profited from the complex in 2022–2023. Part of the bribe was also likely laundered by Nasirov’s adviser, Kostenko, through agency service contracts.
NABU is currently investigating who, when, and how the final portion of the illicit benefit, amounting to USD 5.5 million, was laundered. The case may go to court in May 2025.
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.
In addition to this case, he is also implicated in the “gas scheme” involving former MP Oleksandr Onyshchenko. In both cases, no verdict has been issued yet. However, the case concerning the former fiscal official’s involvement in the “gas scheme” of former MP Oleksandr Onyshchenko has already reached the stage of judicial debate.
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.
