Ex-Berdiansk port chief jailed for four years over procurement fraud

On May 19, the Appeals Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court overturned the acquittal of Oleksandr Barchan, former head of the Berdiansk branch of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, according to a statement from the court's press service.

Barchan had been accused of official misconduct and document forgery related to the procurement of a crane in 2018–2019. However, the trial court found that his guilt had not been proven.

"The Anti-Corruption Court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove that a group of individuals had engaged in official misconduct through prior collusion. After the initiation of legal proceedings, the procurement contract was terminated, the crane was returned to the supplier, and the payments made under the contract were refunded to the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority," the court stated in 2022.

The Appeals Chamber reached a different conclusion.

Barchan was found guilty of abuse of office and sentenced to four years in prison. He was also banned from holding specific positions for three years and fined UAH 8,500.

Natalia Panchenko, former head of the supplier company, was found guilty of aiding and abetting the offense. She received a three-year prison sentence, was barred from certain positions, and was also fined UAH 8,500.

Both defendants were taken into custody in the courtroom immediately after the verdict.

The ruling took effect immediately but may be appealed to the Supreme Court.

Barchan was initially detained in February 2020 and dismissed from his position in early August 2021.