Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Agency reported on its Telegram channel that six top executives of Privatbank were prosecuted for embezzlement of more than $227 million.
“NABU and SAP (Expert Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office – socialbites.ca) sent to court six people accused of embezzling a total of more than 8.4 billion hryvnia (more than $227 million) from Privatbank,” the statement said.
According to NABU, in December 2016, on the eve of nationalization, the former chairman of the bank’s board of directors ordered the transfer of funds from a correspondent account opened in one of the European banks for the repayment of debts to two agricultural loans. trading companies.
It was recorded that the bank suffered a loss of approximately 315 million dollars in this way.
Also, according to the ministry, Privatbank’s former chairman, deputy and two heads of departments paid about $6 million into its account in favor of companies affiliated with it, the day before the bank was declared bankrupt. After that, the funds were transferred to the two companies, after which they were withdrawn abroad for legalization.
The suspects face between 8 and 12 years in prison, according to NABU.
Before that, the court in Kiev arrested Strana.ua reports that businessman Igor Kolomoisky is suspected of fraud and money laundering. Kolomoisky could be released on bail of 509 million hryvnia ($ 13.7 million), but the businessman refused to pay this amount. The maximum penalty for each item of the charge against the oligarch is 12 years’ imprisonment, with his assets confiscated.
Formerly an economist warned Kiev on the risks associated with the growth of foreign debt.