Medvedchuk was served a notice of suspicion in the case of the Samara-Western Direction oil pipeline

The Security Service of Ukraine reported that together with the NABU it had collected a large-scale evidence base in the case of the Samara-Western Direction oil pipeline and served a notice of suspicion to former MP Viktor Medvedchuk and his accomplices, UNN reports.

Details

"The Security Service and the NABU have collected a large-scale evidence base proving the illegality of the privatization of the state-owned Samara-Zakhidne Direction oil pipeline in 2015. At present, former MP Viktor Medvedchuk and four representatives of the former top management of Prykarpatzakhidtrans, who took possession and managed the pipeline, have been served with a notice of suspicion," the SBU said on social media.

In relation to the crimes committed, under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General's Office and the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office, suspicion was reportedly announced under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

• ч. 3 of Article 27, part 3 of Article 28, part 3 of Article 365-2 (abuse of power by persons providing public services);
• ч. 3, Art. 27, Art. 28, Art. 384, para. 2 (misleading a court or other authorized body);
• ч. 3, Art. 27, Art. 191, para. 5 (misappropriation of another's property by abuse of office by an official, committed on a particularly large scale by an organized group);
• ч. 3 Art. 27, Art. 209 (organization of acquisition, possession and use of funds as a result of a socially dangerous illegal act that preceded the legalization (laundering) of proceeds, committed by an organized group and in a particularly large amount).

"According to the case file, the organizer of the illegal privatization scheme was former MP Viktor Medvedchuk, who is suspected by the SBU of high treason," the SBU said.

As noted, "according to the available data, he began its implementation in 2015 and acted in close coordination with the then top political leadership of Ukraine and Russia.

"Medvedchuk involved third parties in the scheme, who later received senior positions at the company that "privatized" the oil pipeline," the SBU said.

According to the materials of the proceedings, the Samara-Western Direction oil product pipeline remained in Russian ownership after the collapse of the USSR. Starting in 2005, Ukraine has been proving its right to own it through the courts, and only in 2014-2015 was this right confirmed by the Appellate and Supreme Economic Courts. "However, with the support of the then top leadership of Ukraine, Medvedchuk managed to cancel this decision through the Rivne Economic Court and formalize the sale of the oil pipeline to a Swiss company, which was actually controlled by the participants in the scheme," the SBU said.

"After taking possession of the pipeline, Medvedchuk and his accomplices ensured its functioning through the Prykarpatzakhidtrans enterprise, and the profits received were transferred to the accounts of affiliated foreign companies and distributed among themselves. The relevant information is supported by the evidence available to the NABU and the SBU, as well as by Viktor Medvedchuk's own testimony, which he voluntarily and knowingly provided to the exchange with Russia," the special service said.

Since May 2019, as indicated, the pumping of diesel through the pipeline has been blocked to return it to state ownership, while law enforcement agencies investigated the legality of the privatization. In January 2024, the Supreme Court of Ukraine finally recognized the Ukrainian part of the pipeline as state property.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. According to the SBU, a set of measures is being taken to bring the suspects, who are abroad, to justice, as well as to establish the circle of all those involved in this illegal transaction.

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