The Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) in Ukraine will investigate the origins of bail funds deposited in criminal proceedings. The initiative arises from previous suspicions about certain bail contributions, prompting authorities to conduct post-factum checks.
According to SAP head Oleksandr Klimenko, concerns may arise if cash deposits originate from individuals without clear sources of income. He explained that when cash from such individuals is transferred to bank accounts of legal entities, and subsequently flows to the accounts of the High Anti-Corruption Court (VAKS), it raises red flags that warrant investigation.
Klimenko’s remarks echo previous calls for enhanced scrutiny from Oleksandr Abakumov, head of the detective unit at the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU). On August 21, Abakumov emphasized the need for the state to verify the true ownership of companies making bail deposits, the origins of funds, their connections to suspects, and the legality of the money involved.
He linked this issue to the “Midas” case, noting that companies with no formal ties to high-ranking officials may contribute bail sums reaching tens or hundreds of millions of hryvnias. Detectives have found cases where such services cost between 10% to 30% of the bail amount.
