NABU: Energoatom contractors can avoid charges in Midas case by self-reporting bribes

This was stated by NABU Director Semen Kryvonos in an interview with Suspilne, Ukrinform reports.

“I want to emphasize that anyone who informs us [about giving a bribe] in advance – before we uncover it ourselves – will be helping both the investigation and those who paid the bribes. Provided that the person reports having paid bribes to an Energoatom or ministry official under coercive circumstances, this will be regarded as cooperation with the investigation,” Kryvonos said.

Asked to clarify whether this could “exempt them from criminal liability,” Kryvonos replied: “Absolutely. Precisely in this case – if it is done before we establish the facts and formally notify a person of suspicion for bribing an official.”

As reported earlier, on November 10, NABU announced a special operation to expose corruption in the energy sector. According to investigators, members of a criminal organization built an extensive scheme to influence strategic state-owned enterprises, including Energoatom.

The organization’s main activity allegedly involved systematically obtaining unlawful benefits from contractors of NNEGC Energoatom, with kickbacks ranging from 10% to 15% of contract values.