The SBI notifies entrepreneurs from Zhytomyr region of suspicion of purchasing "donetsk people's republic" products worth UAH 50 million
The SBI notifies entrepreneurs from Zhytomyr region of suspicion of purchasing "donetsk people's republic" products worth UAH 50 million
SBI employees served notices of suspicion to entrepreneurs from Zhytomyr region who were buying "DNR" products in violation of the current legislation and selling them on the Ukrainian market. In particular, the organiser of the scheme, as well as one of the executives and the chief accountant of a private enterprise from Zhytomyr region were served suspicion notices.
They were in fact financing an illegal terrorist organisation controlled by russia.
It was established that in May 2017, the organisers established seven companies in different regions of Ukraine, where the directors were fictitious persons. The dealers allegedly concluded contracts on the purchase of foundry products, namely equipment for the mining and mineral processing industries, with russian companies. However, the goods were actually manufactured on the territory of the so-called "donetsk people's republic". To circumvent Ukrainian legislation, the products were reloaded in Taganrog, Rostov Region, russia, and the forged documents stated a different manufacturer.
The SBI employees found that the criminals were acting on the basis of prior agreements with companies located in the temporarily occupied territory.
The criminal activity was stopped before the full-scale russian invasion in February 2022. At that time, the Security Service of Ukraine conducted searches of the companies. At the end of 2022, the Prosecutor's Office transferred the case to the State Bureau of Investigation.
The offenders managed to conclude 13 contracts with a total value of almost 50 million UAH. The businessmen paid part of their profits in the form of taxes to the so-called "Ministry of Revenues and Duties of the Donetsk People's Republic". The money was then used to fund the terrorist organisation's illegal military formations.
The three businessmen are suspected of financing terrorism by prior conspiracy (Part 2 Article 258-5 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
They face up to 10 years in prison.
