Ukraine's anti-corruption investigators uncover alleged bribery network involving senior law enforcement officials
Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) have uncovered an alleged criminal organization that paid bribes to senior law enforcement officials to protect fraudulent call centers and other illegal businesses, NABU announced on November 4.
According to investigators, the suspected network involved serving senior officials from Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), National Police and Prosecutor General's Office, as well as individuals linked to organized crime.
The investigation, codenamed Operation Carthage, has prompted searches involving three senior SBU officials.
Alleged threats against investigators
NABU said one senior SBU official threatened to use a firearm against its detectives and prevented them from entering premises to conduct a court-authorized search.
The bureau also reported that SBU special forces arrived at the scene.
NABU described the alleged obstruction as unacceptable interference with its investigators' lawful duties.
Ukrainska Pravda identified the official accused of making the threats as Serhii Duka, citing its sources. The outlet also reported that investigators were searching premises linked to Anton Kravchuk, head of the SBU's Main Directorate of Internal Security.
The SBU subsequently confirmed that NABU and SAPO were conducting searches involving its employees under court orders in several criminal proceedings.
Ukraine's National Police said it was cooperating with investigators and had suspended officers involved in the investigative proceedings from their duties pending an internal inquiry.
Former prosecutor general alleges retaliation
Former Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko accused NABU of carrying out what he called "political revenge."
He claimed the SBU units involved in the searches had previously investigated criminal cases concerning NABU Director Semen Kryvonos and people close to SAPO chief Oleksandr Klymenko.
NABU has not publicly identified all suspects or disclosed the alleged bribe amounts.
The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations have not been established in court.