The SAP has brought to court the case of theft of more than UAH 11 million during the purchase of coal for Ukrzaliznytsia's needs. Among the accused is a former official of a railway company, as well as the head and owner of a private company, which was the winner of the tenders.
According to the Specialized Anti -Corruption Prosecutor's Office, the equipment was implemented in 2018. According to the investigation, a group of persons, including the deputy director of the branch of the Center for Production of Production of JSC "Ukrzaliznytsia" (separate proceedings), organized a criminal scheme during six tenders for the supply of coal.
The theft mechanism was classic: the conditions of competitions were formed under a specific company that filed the highest price. Competitors actually had no chance of winning due to discriminatory requirements. As a result, the victory won one of the commercial societies, which could not explain the economic validity of its rates.
After concluding contracts with the winner, Ukrzaliznytsia overpaid more than 11.8 million hryvnias of budgetary funds. As the examinations showed, the cost was deliberately inflated, and it could not be accidental.
The accused is charged with Part 5 of Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - the waste of property in a particularly large amount, committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons. The sanction of the article provides for up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
Particular attention in this case is deserved by the role of civil society. It was the public organization that noticed anomalous prices in the Prozorro system and submitted a corresponding appeal to law enforcement agencies. This gave the start of an investigation, which exposed millions of abuse.
"This case is an example of how openness of state data and the activity of citizens can detect corruption crimes," the SAP said.
