SAP requests arrest of Chernyshov with possibility of bail in amount of UAH 55M

According to Ukrinform, the request was presented in court by prosecutor Serhii Savytskyi.

"I believe that a bail amount equal to the illegally acquired funds, in particular over UAH 55 million, which equals about 18,211 subsistence minimums for able-bodied persons, will be an appropriate bail amount that may be determined for the suspect if this request is granted and a detention measure with the alternative of bail is applied," the prosecutor said.

If bail is posted, the prosecutor asks the court to impose a number of obligations on Chernyshov: to appear before the investigator upon first request, not to leave his place of residence without permission, and to refrain from communicating with witnesses and other persons involved in the criminal case.

Justifying this type of restraint, the SAP prosecutor noted that, according to law enforcement, there is a risk that Chernyshov might flee, as he crossed the state border more than 50 times during the full-scale invasion, and his eldest son permanently resides abroad.

The investigation also believes that Chernyshov poses a risk of destroying physical evidence and influencing witnesses in the criminal proceedings.

As Ukrinform reported, on November 14, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, within the investigation of corruption at Energoatom, served the former deputy prime minister with a request for pre-trial detention.

According to the investigation, the former official was among the visitors of a so-called "laundromat" — a place where funds obtained through criminal means were legalized. This facility was under the control of the head of a criminal organization exposed by NABU and SAPO.

Detectives documented the transfer of more than $1.2 million and nearly EUR 100,000 in cash to the suspect and his trusted associate.

He is charged under Article 368-5 of the Criminal Code (illegal enrichment).

The former official is already suspected by NABU and SAPO of abuse of office and receiving improper benefits in an especially large amount.

In June, the special prosecutor's office announced the exposure of a large-scale corruption scheme in the construction sector involving, among others, former high-ranking officials of the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories.

Later, suspicion was announced to the former minister for development of communities and territories and deputy prime minister for national unity, Oleksiy Chernyshov. He is accused of abuse of office and obtaining improper benefits for himself and third parties.

The HACC imposed a bail of UAH 120 million on Chernyshov along with procedural obligations. The full amount was paid.

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