Court extends Roman Hrynkevych's arrest, but reduces bail

The Pechersk District Court of Kyiv has remanded Roman Hrynkevych, a suspect in the case of UAH 1 billion worth of clothing for the Armed Forces, in custody until April 17. The bail was reduced from over UAH 500 million to UAH 469 million. UNN reports this with reference to Suspilne.

"The Pechersk District Court of Kyiv partially granted the prosecutor's motion and kept Roman Hrynkevych in custody until April 17. The bail was reduced to UAH 469 million. Hrynkevych's defense said it would appeal," the statement said.

Prosecutor Oleksandr Livchuk reportedly asked to extend the preventive measure of detention, which expires on March 17. According to him, Roman Hrynkevych may hide from the investigation and court, as well as travel abroad.

"Roman's father, Ihor Hrynkevych, decided to create a criminal organization. Roman was a co-organizer. Ihor concluded 23 contracts with the Ministry of Defense for the supply of military clothing, logistics, jackets, pants, shirts. Roman joined and led the criminal organization. They caused material damage in the amount of UAH 934 million. The whole range of actions has not yet been carried out. If Hrynkevych is behind the walls of the pre-trial detention center, he will destroy evidence, destroy original documents and influence witnesses, drivers who transported the goods," the prosecutor said.

The defense lawyers opposed the prosecutor's motion to extend the preventive measure. Instead, they filed a motion to interrogate witnesses, which the judge denied, as their interrogation is not expected at this stage. Roman's lawyers called the suspicion unfounded and asked for a more lenient measure of restraint.

In particular, lawyer Andriy Gujal asked for a more lenient measure of restraint, since "no one has escaped with an electronic bracelet yet.

Roman Hrynkevych stated that he believed the suspicion was unfounded and that the hearing to appeal his arrest had not been held six times. He also said that he would not hide from the investigation.

He also stated that he was "locked up in a pre-trial detention center with unrealistic bail" and was unable to present his position.

Addendum

On January 17, the State Bureau of Investigation served a notice of suspicion to a Lviv businessman, one of the largest suppliers to the Ministry of Defense, and members of a criminal organization in a case involving UAH 1 billion worth of clothing for the Armed Forces. In particular, it concerns Ihor Hrynkevych and his son Roman.

On January 18, the son of Lviv businessman Ihor Hrynkevych, Roman Hrynkevych, was put on the wanted list.

On January 22, it became known that Roman Hrynkevych was detained in Odesa while trying to leave the country.

Subsequently, the Pecherskyi District Court of Kyiv remanded Roman Hrynkevych in custody until March 17 and set bail at over UAH 500 million.