The first deputy COB Naftohaz Ukrayiny, Serhiy Pereloma, is now officially suspected of embezzlement of state property, the head of the anti-corruption prosecutors Nazar Kholodnytskyy told a briefing on 14 July.
"In May, 2015 the first deputy COB Naftohaz Ukrayiny, who is also the head of the supervisory board, Serhiy Pereloma conceived a scheme aimed at embezzlement of funds in the said company in favour of PJSC Ukrnafta. Through the company Enerhoalyans, they have purchased natural gas at an inflated price in the amount of 205m hryvnyas, of which 3 per cent were to remain in the accounts of the said private company, and the rest were due to go to Ukrnafta," Kholodnytskyy said.
Along with Pereloma, prosecutors investigate the first deputy COB of Odessa Port Plant, Mykola Shchurikov.
"Over the period from May to December 2015, these individuals have embezzled the funds of Odessa Port Plant by abusing their official position and by concluding contracts for the supply of natural gas at deliberately inflated prices for the amount of over 205m hryvnyas," he said.
Kholodnytskyy said both Pereloma and Shchurikov had been detained.
Naftohaz Ukrayiny in a comment said the criminal proceedings against Pereloma were not related to his work in Naftohaz.
According to information available to the company, the investigation is not connected to Pereloma's job in Naftohaz The company has stated preparedness to cooperate with the investigation and will inform the media about any developments in the case, the release says.