Ministry of Defense official Khmelnytsky was notified of suspicion in case of purchase of low-quality bulletproof vests for over UAH 100 million, - Prosecutor General’s Office. PHOTOS
This is reported by Censor.NET with reference to the press center of the Prosecutor General's Office.
According to the investigation, the suspect organized the purchase of low-quality bulletproof vests and supplied them to units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As a result of such actions, more than UAH 100 million in losses were caused to the state budget.
According to several independent examinations, this ammunition does not meet the requirements of class IV body armor and cannot adequately protect Ukrainian servicemen.
"Currently, the issue of selecting a preventive measure for the suspect is being resolved.
The pre-trial investigation is carried out by the MID of the SSU under the operational support of employees of the Main Directorate for Countering Systemic Threats to the State Administration of the SSU.
According to the SSU, this official bought almost 3,000 bulletproof vests for more than UAH 100 million for the Armed Forces. However, according to several independent examinations, these products do not meet the requirements of class IV body armor and cannot adequately protect Ukrainian soldiers.
Currently, according to the SBU, the official has been charged with the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- Part 1 of Art. 114-1 (obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations);
- Part 5 of Art. 191 (appropriation, waste of property or possession of it by abuse of official position);
- Part 2 of Art. 28 (commitment of a criminal offense by a group of persons).
The sanction of the articles provides for punishment in the form of deprivation of liberty for a term of 5 to 8 years. The issue of choosing a preventive measure is being resolved.
"The SSU initiated the recall of this batch of low-quality body armor to the Ministry of Defense warehouses. In addition, the SSU conducts investigative actions against other officials in the security and defense sector who may be involved in illegal activities and harm state security. This is a set of measures aimed at strengthening the defense capabilities of our state.
Measures to cover up offenders were carried out by investigators of the Main Investigative Department of the SSU and employees of the Main Directorate for Countering Systemic Threats to State Administration of the SSU under the procedural guidance of the Specialized Prosecutor's Office in the military and defense sphere of the Prosecutor General's Office," the message reads.
The Prosecutor General's Office does not name the official. However, Censor.NET, referring to its own sources, wrote that the ex-director of the State Procurement Department of the Ministry of Defense, Bohdan Khmelnytsky, was searched in connection with the purchase of low-quality bulletproof vests for 123 million hryvnias.
