Serhiy Duka, a general in the Security Service of Ukraine, for whom a bail of 65 million hryvnias was posted on 13 November in the «Carthage» case, has levelled new accusations against the leadership of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). He described the criminal prosecution as retaliation for an investigation into possible corruption within the anti-corruption bodies and called on the Verkhovna Rada to conduct an audit of their activities. Duka also claims that the state’s senior political leadership allegedly obstructed the processing of case files concerning NABU staff. There is currently no independent corroboration of these allegations.
- A bail of 65 million hryvnias has been posted for SBU General Serhiy Duka.
- Duka accused the NABU and the SAP of seeking revenge for anti-corruption investigations.
- The general called on the Verkhovna Rada to scrutinise the activities of the anti-corruption bodies.
- The NABU suspects Duka of involvement in a criminal organisation in the «Carthage» case.
Duka accused the leadership of the NABU and the SAP of persecution
Following notification that the full amount of the deposit has been paid Serhiy Duka He addressed the press. In widely circulated footage, people in military uniform can be seen standing next to him. Claims have been made on social media that the general was greeted with applause by over 200 special forces personnel, though there is no independent confirmation of their number.
Duka denied any involvement in the crimes of which he is accused by the NABU and the SAP. According to him, the criminal proceedings were a response to the work of SBU units, which had previously documented possible offences committed by staff of the anti-corruption bodies.
As early as 10 November, in an open letter from the remand centre, the general raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest in the investigation. According to him, the application for a pre-trial measure had been prepared by a NABU detective Roman Nedov, whose premises were searched by SBU officers last year.
The general called on the Verkhovna Rada to scrutinise the activities of the anti-corruption bodies
Duka proposed involving parliament in the investigation into the circumstances of the conflict between law enforcement agencies. Specifically, this involves setting up a temporary investigative committee that could scrutinise the activities of the NABU and the SAP.
He also claims that the country’s top political leadership allegedly prohibited the use of operational evidence relating to NABU staff. The general stated that he was prepared to provide evidence, but has not yet presented it publicly.
Separately Duka expressed the view that the actions of anti-corruption bodies during preparations for international negotiations could weaken Ukraine’s position.
He had previously made a proposal to the director of NABU To Semen Kryvonos and the head of the SAP Oleksandr Klymenko to take part in an open discussion on criminal proceedings and mutual accusations.
A bail of 65 million hryvnias has been posted on behalf of the general in the «Carthage» case»
On 13 November, the High Anti-Corruption Court confirmed that the full amount of bail for Serhiy Duka had been received. The funds were transferred in over 1,600 separate payments.
His solicitor Yuriy Sukhov He stated that it was mainly SBU staff who had been involved in raising the funds. At the same time, the defence is challenging the amount of the bail, considering it to be unjustified.
The NABU and the SAP suspect Duka of involvement in a criminal organisation which, according to the investigation, provided a cover for fraudulent call centres, drug trafficking and other illegal businesses.
According to the case file, the general may have facilitated the group’s activities by exploiting his official position and contacts within law enforcement agencies.
Duka himself categorically denies the allegations. Only a court can determine his guilt.
