Suspect in embezzlement of $1.2 million from Ukraine's Defense Ministry detained in Greece

The relevant authorities of Greece detained a Ukrainian in Athens on Monday, who is suspected of illegally seizing budget funds in the amount of 43 million hryvnias ($1.2 million), the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office reports.

According to the investigation, the suspect in a conspiracy with other persons took possession of the funds that the limited liability company received as advance payment under contracts concluded with the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine for the purchase of military goods.

Funds were transferred to the accounts of individual entrepreneurs for the alleged provision of works and services. The crime was committed between March 2 and May 10, 2022. At that time, the suspect was a director of the company.

On July 12, 2022, the person involved was served with charges of taking possession of property of another by an official abusing his official position and disposing of property obtained through criminal means, committed in a particularly large amount by an organized group (Part 5 of Article 191, Part 3 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

On November 6, 2023, the prosecutors of the General Prosecutor's Office sent a request to the relevant authorities of Greece for the detention and temporary arrest of the specified person. Also, as part of cooperation with Interpol, a request was sent for the publication of a "Red Notice".

As a result, the suspect was detained and, by the decision of the Court of Appeal of Athens, a temporary arrest was applied.

Ukrainian authorities are now preparing the necessary extradition documents to request that Greece transfers the detained suspect to stand trial in Ukraine. The goal is to have the alleged embezzler extradited to face criminal charges.

In November, the Ministry of Defense ordered almost 400 million hryvnias ($11 million) from a foreign supplier of body armor and helmets.