Ex-Naftogaz head Kobolev asked the WACS to return his passports to “develop sanctions against Russia at the global level”
24 October 2024 19:24
The former head of Naftohaz, who is accused by the NABU and the SAP of paying himself a 229m hryvnya bonus, tried to convince the judges of the Supreme Arbitration Court of Ukraine of the need to return his passports for travelling outside Ukraine. The court ruled to refuse to satisfy such a petition, arguing that there were risks of Kobolev’s escape. This is stated in the Decision of the court, reports "Komersant Ukrainian".
Thus, the text of the court document indicates that the defence of Kobolev petitioned for “cancellation of the obligation of the accused to surrender passports to travel abroad”. And this ban allegedly prevents him from “developing sanctions against Russia”.
“The accused (Kobolev, – ed.) supported the position of the defenders and explained that he does not object to the continuation of the obligation not to communicate with a certain circle of persons. He considers it necessary to cancel the obligation to surrender passports for travelling abroad. The presence of this obligation restricts his free movement and harms the development of sanctions against Russia at the global level,” the ruling reads.
The SACS judges, however, concluded that Kobolev had a risk of fleeing abroad and hiding there from the investigation, and therefore refused to satisfy the defence motion.
“The crime incriminated PERSON_9, provided for by part 5 of article 191 of the Criminal Procedural Code of Ukraine, is a particularly serious criminal offence, the responsibility for which is provided in the form of imprisonment for a term of 7 to 12 years, which together with its attribution to corruption offences will deprive the court of the possibility, in case of conviction of the latter, to release him from criminal liability or release him from serving the sentence with probation. Under such circumstances, in the event that PERSON_9 is found guilty, the latter will be sentenced exclusively to real punishment in the form of deprivation of liberty. The given circumstance in the form of non-alternativity and severity of punishment, in the opinion of the court, in itself may be a motive and reason for the accused to commit acts with the purpose of concealment from the court in order to avoid criminal liability“, – pointed out the judges of the VAKS.
According to the investigation of the NABU, during 2018, the suspect Kobolev illegally received funds of the company “Naftogaz” in the amount of more than 229.25 million UAH. In particular, in the status of the head of the company (2014-2021) in May 2018, he “contrary to the law, he issued an order on bonuses to the company’s employees, on the basis of which he himself was paid almost UAH 261 million (equivalent to $10 million) for extraordinary achievements”, the investigation believes.
In total, according to law enforcers, during 2017-2022 Andriy Kobolev was charged more than 413 million UAH of income.
Now continues judicial consideration of proceedings against Kobolev in the VAKS. He is subject to restrictive measures and bail in the amount of UAH 107 million, which was deposited.
In September, the Supreme Arbitration Court extended restrictive measures against Kobolev until 12 November 2024.
