The former acting Minister of Culture and Information Policy has been notified of suspicion in connection with a scheme to travel abroad through music tours, Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko reported on Saturday on social media, UNN writes.
According to UNN sources, it concerns Rostyslav Karandieiev.
The former acting Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine has been notified of suspicion of facilitating the illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine. The scheme looked like a departure for charity concerts abroad. On paper, these men were members of a music band. In reality – they had nothing to do with music.
That is why, the Prosecutor General noted, "initially the border guards refused them crossing the state border".
"But after that, the head of the ministry sent a repeated letter to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine asking to facilitate the departure of these same persons already as members of a music band. It was this letter that became the documentary basis for crossing the border. As a result, 8 men of conscription age left Ukraine and have not returned to this day," Kravchenko reported.
The Prosecutor General emphasized: "During the war, any decision by an official regarding the departure of military-liable persons abroad is not a formality. It is a matter of state security, trust in institutions, and justice for those who fulfill their duty to the country. A position does not give the right to circumvent the law. A state document cannot be a cover for a scheme. And during war, the responsibility of high-ranking officials should be not less, but greater."
The pre-trial investigation under Part 2 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, according to him, is being conducted by the National Police.
The investigation is ongoing. Additional episodes and other persons who may be involved are being identified.
"We continue to work," Kravchenko emphasized.
Reminder
In April, Prosecutor General Kravchenko reported that a scheme of illegal departure abroad under the guise of musicians was exposed, searches were conducted at former ministry employees, including the former acting Minister of Culture of Ukraine, who approved the relevant letters, as well as other figures.