Over 2,500 tons of grain: how the harvest of state-owned agricultural enterprises disappeared
5 February 18:12
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), with the participation of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), announced the exposure of a large-scale scheme to seize the harvest of state-owned agricultural enterprises that are part of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, reports "Komersant Ukrainian".
The investigation believes that the organizers of the scheme are a current member of parliament and a member of the Kyiv Regional Council. The total losses to the state are estimated at almost UAH 30 million.
What happened
According to anti-corruption authorities, in 2021-2022, a scheme for the illegal harvesting and export of sunflower and corn crops was implemented on the basis of state research farms and stations of the NAAS.
The investigation claims that instead of state elevators, agricultural products were sent to private grain warehouses in the Chernihiv and Poltava regions. The actual volumes of the harvested crops were not fully or partially reflected in the shipping documents.
Who is suspected
According to law enforcement, the organizers of the scheme were:
- a member of the Ukrainian parliament of the IX convocation, who had previously been accused of receiving $85,000 in illegal benefits from an agrarian;
- a deputy of the Kyiv Regional Council.
According to the investigation, the heads of two state-owned enterprises within the structure of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences and an accomplice were also involved in the scheme.
How much grain and how much money
In 2021, according to the investigation, the following was illegally exported:
- over 990 tons of sunflower seeds;
- 1,400 tons of corn.
The total value of these products is estimated at UAH 27.3 million.
In 2022, during the implementation of a similar scheme at another state facility, another 203 tons of sunflower seeds were involved.
Law enforcement officials estimate the total losses to the state at almost UAH 30 million.
What articles are being charged
Suspicions have been announced under articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine that provide for liability for organizing and aiding in the appropriation of property on an especially large scale (Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and related provisions).
The issue of preventive measures is currently being decided.
In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, all persons involved in the case are considered innocent until their guilt is proven by a court verdict.
