The National Anti-Corruption Bureau conducted searches at the residence of Anatoly Kovalchuk, the head of the Transcarpathian Regional Prosecutor's Office, as part of an investigation into alleged bribery. The investigative actions took place on April 2 at the official's actual place of residence and in his office.
During the searches, NABU detectives seized cash from Kovalchuk: $8,550, €9,180, and UAH 121,000, as well as an Apple iPhone 16 Pro mobile phone. According to the investigation, the seized funds may be part of the illegal gain. On April 10, the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court seized this property, and on April 17, the Appellate Chamber of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court upheld this decision. The appeal of Kovalchuk's representative was rejected, and the ruling was declared final.
The searches are related to the investigation of a large-scale bribery case. As part of the same case, former Kyiv police officer Ivan Vainagii was detained. The investigation believes that he, in collusion with representatives of the Transcarpathian Regional Prosecutor's Office, demanded $5,000 from a witness, promising to avoid criminal prosecution. After he refused, the witness was informed of the suspicion, and later - of a new charge of extorting $30,000. It was during the transfer of this amount on April 2 that Vainagii was detained.
The investigation is ongoing. NABU suspects that other representatives of the regional prosecutor's office may have been involved in the scheme.
