Ukrainian Prosecutor General reopens case against Naftogaz ex-chief
15:35 19/09/2014
KYIV, September 19 (RAPSI) – The resolution to close a criminal case against former chief of Naftogaz Ukrainy Yevhen Bakulin has been canceled, RIA Novosti reports, citing the Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (UNIAN).
Naftogaz Ukraine is Ukraine’s largest oil and gas company. It produces over 97% of the oil and gas in the country.
As reported yesterday, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine closed the criminal case against Bakulin, who was charged with embezzlement of state property, and several of the company’s top managers.
Last March, the Interior Ministry of Ukraine announced that Bakulin had been arrested in relation to a criminal investigation of state funds theft. In late April, the Pechyorsky District Court released him on bail.
Bakulin, his deputy Hennadiy Yuriev and Head of the Gas Sales Department Valentyn Franchuk were charged with abuse of power that resulted in the company’s loss of almost 2 billion hryvnias (over $150 mln).
According to the investigation, the case in question concerns a natural gas supply agreement between Naftogaz Ukrainy and GazUkraina-Commerce of the Ukrainian businessman Serhiy Kurchenko, who is said to be linked with the business interests of the son of ex-Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych, ousted after the February coup.
As of June, the Prosecutor General’s Office was investigating 28 criminal cases against former Ukrainian officials, specifically on embezzlement of state funds, financial fraud, land seizure and abuse of authority.