The management of the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine is suspected of misappropriating 62 million hryvnyas. The report comes after the Cabinet of Ministers dismissed the head of the State Service for Special Communications, Yuriy Shchyhol, and his deputy, Viktor Zhora.
According to the NABU, in 2020-2022, the owner of a group of companies, in collusion with the management of the State Special Communications Service, developed a scheme to misappropriate budget funds allocated for the purchase of hardware and software.
"For this purpose, two controlled companies were involved, and the procurement was classified to avoid open bidding and ensure their victory. The state-owned enterprise subordinated to the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine entered into contracts with these companies for the supply of relevant software and services and transferred funds in the amount of over 285 million hryvnyas in 2021-2022. However, the actual cost of the software purchased by the companies from a foreign manufacturer was 223 million hryvnyas, and the difference of over 62 million hryvnyas was seized by the offenders. These funds were transferred to the accounts of controlled companies abroad for the purpose of legalisation and distribution among members of the organised group," the NABU claims.
Six people are currently suspected:
- the head of the State Service for Special Communications and his deputy (Yuriy Shchyhol and, apparently, Viktor Zhora, who was also fired)
- CEO and an employee of the state-owned enterprise;
- the owner of a group of companies (the organiser of the scheme) and one of his employees.
Charges: Part 5 of Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The type of detention is being decided.
Yuriy Shchyhol has been the head of the State Special Communications Service since 2020.