Operation "Carthage": Anti-Corruption Court Sets Preventive Measure for SBU Official Duka

The High Anti-Corruption Court is choosing a preventive measure for Serhii Duka, First Deputy Head of the SBU Department for the Protection of National Statehood, who was detained as part of Operation "Carthage".

Suspilne reports this.

In NABU recordings, the official appears under the alias "Akim". According to investigators, he knew about the activities of the organiser of a criminal group nicknamed "Kryminal" and helped him resolve issues not only within the SBU but also at the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Law enforcement officials say that thanks to such support, members of the group had connections within state bodies and could obtain a range of services and privileges.

In particular, this includes arranging documents declaring someone unfit for military service, obtaining vehicle passes, as well as providing a driver and security guards with SBU identification. According to the investigation, representatives of the group received a knife as a gift from the SBU.

• Operation “Carthage”, which NABU and the SAP announced on 5 September, was aimed at exposing a criminal organisation operating within the Prosecutor General’s Office and providing “services” to cover up illegal concentrates in exchange for bribes. They are also suspected of laundering illegally acquired assets.

• Suspicions were issued to the head of a department at the Prosecutor General’s Office, the deputy head of the department, a woman linked to him, and other figures. The charges are Article 255 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (establishing and leading a criminal organisation, as well as participation in it) and Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (legalisation (laundering) of property).

• In November, NABU and the SAP, as part of Operation “Carthage”, exposed a criminal organisation whose members are suspected of setting up the systematic provision of unlawful benefits to senior law enforcement officials in exchange for the unhindered operation of fraudulent call centres and other illegal businesses.

• Details of the "Carthage"-2 case are available in an LB.ua round-up.