Ukraine's Security Service general charged with illicit enrichment
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have reported exposing a senior officer of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) for illicit enrichment and tax fraud.
Source: SAPO; NABU; an Ukrainska Pravda source in law enforcement
Details: According to the source, the case concerns former head of the SSU Cybersecurity Department, Brigadier General Illia Vitiuk.
Investigators found that the suspect bought a flat worth UAH 21.6 million (about US$521,547) in December 2023, registering it in his wife’s name. The contract price was listed as UAH 12.8 million (about US$308,962).
To justify the source of funds, his wife claimed she had earned the money as a private entrepreneur since February 2022 by providing legal and consulting services.
Investigators established that funds were indeed transferred to her business accounts, supposedly for legal and consulting services. However, they came from an individual suspected of embezzling funds from Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) as part of a criminal organisation, as well as from companies controlled by that person.
Anti-corruption officials emphasised that the services were not provided, and the companies showed signs of being fictitious.
In addition, there was no confirmation of the legal origin of the remaining UAH 8.8 million (about US$212,360) spent on the flat.
Background:
- In early April 2024, Slidstvo.Info investigative journalists reported that Vitiuk’s wife had purchased an apartment with a market value of over UAH 20 million (about US$482,713) in December 2023.
- After the investigation, SSU head Vasyl Maliuk suspended Vitiuk during the review of the circumstances and sent him to the front line.
- The National Agency on Corruption Prevention began a lifestyle audit "to establish the compliance of Vitiuk’s lifestyle and that of his family members with their property and declared income".
- On 1 May, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree dismissing Illia Vitiuk from his post as head of the SSU Cybersecurity Department.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
