Ruslan Mahamedrasulov has commented on the potential of a notice of suspicion being served on Andrii Yermak, former head of the Ukrainian President's Office, saying that there is substantial material evidence in the investigation. Mahamedrasulov, the head of an interregional detective department at the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), worked on the Midas case investigating embezzlement at Energoatom, Ukraine's state-run nuclear company.
Source: Mahamedrasulov in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda (English translation coming soon)
Quote: "As regards the Yermak case, that is a separate story. There is solid material evidence in the Midas investigation and I hope that NABU detectives will bring the case to a proper conclusion within the law."
Details: Mahamedrasulov explained that the original focus of the Midas investigation was the Ministry of Defence and the activities of Tymur Mindich, who goes by the alias Karlson in tapes released by NABU regarding the high-profile anti-corruption probe.
This was the main reason the investigation was launched.
Mahamedrasulov noted that he never considered Mindich a key figure in carrying out corrupt schemes. "It's simply impossible given the scale and mechanics of execution," he said.
However, Mahamedrasulov, citing the ongoing investigation, could not name who he considers the key figure: "I cannot say it at this stage. The investigation is ongoing and no final procedural decisions have been made."
Asked if the investigation would bring up the names of senior state officials, he said: "I hope so. But there is an old and very accurate saying: the important thing is not what we know, but what we can prove.
Not all knowledge can serve as evidence in court. Only those facts that can be properly substantiated will be included in the case files."
Read more: St Andrew the First-Called Apostle: how Andrii Yermak became Zelenskyy's right-hand man
Background:
- On 28 November, Ukrainska Pravda reported that officers from NABU and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) were conducting searches at Yermak's office in the government district. Ukrainska Pravda journalists managed to record around 10 employees from NABU and SAPO entering the government district.
- Yermak confirmed that the search was taking place at his home and said he was ready to assist the investigation. UP reported that he had not been served with a notice of suspicion as of the morning.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later announced that he had accepted Yermak's resignation as head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and that the institution will now undergo a reboot. The president said he would hold consultations with potential candidates on Saturday.
- Yermak subsequently announced that he was joining the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
No comments yet.