Case description
The NABU and the SAPO suspect Ihor Kolomoiskyi of organizing the misappropriation of funds from Ukrnafta and engaging in a series of large-scale illegal financial schemes.
According to detectives, Kolomoiskyi is believed to have orchestrated a scheme that resulted in the misappropriation of over UAH 3.3 billion from Ukrnafta and its partners under joint investment agreements.
To implement this scheme, the suspect allegedly arranged for the signing of fictitious contracts for services that were never actually rendered, with the funds subsequently transferred to entities under his control.
The case also involves illegal manipulation of banking documents during the non-deposit of UAH 5.8 billion into a bank's cash desk. Kolomoiskyi allegedly misappropriated more than UAH 5.3 billion, which was later laundered.
More than UAH 2 billion of these funds were unjustifiably credited to his personal accounts as loans issued by a bank under his control.
In total, across two episodes, the suspect is believed to have laundered over UAH 4 billion in criminal proceeds.
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According to the defense, Ihor Kolomoiskyi’s actions do not constitute a criminal offense, and the alleged crimes never took place. They argue that internal audits and the bank’s financial statements revealed no shortages. It is also stated that the funds deposited by Kolomoiskyi were subsequently used through non-cash transactions, and there is no evidence of harm caused to other parties.
The actions of the defendants have been classified under Article 366(2), Article 191(5), Article 200(2), and Article 209(3) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The pre-trial investigation was carried out by the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine. However, the case was determined to fall under the jurisdiction of the High Anti-Corruption Court because it includes episodes involving criminal offenses allegedly committed by officials of Ukrnafta, over 50% of which was state-owned at the time of the suspected offenses.
Specifically, the investigation concerns the actions of the acting CEO of Ukrnafta and the head of Poltavanaftogaz oil and gas production unit, who are also among the suspects.
The court set a record bail of UAH 3.891 billion for businessman Ihor Kolomoiskyi, which was later reduced to UAH 1.877 billion.
