VAKS sends MP Kuznetsov to custody: details of the corruption case related to drones.

The National Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine has decided to send People's Deputy Oleksiy Kuznetsov to jail for 60 days in a case involving corruption during the procurement of drones and electronic warfare equipment. As an alternative, a bail of 8 million hryvnias has been set. This was reported by the well-known investigative journalist Oleg Novikov.

The MP must pay bail

'Public' reports that the prosecutor in this case requested arrest with a bail of 30 million hryvnias. Oleksiy Kuznetsov represents 'Servant of the People' and was elected in 2019 in Luhansk region. He is also a member of the Human Rights Committee and the Temporary Special Commission on tariff policy. Previously, he worked as an assistant to MPs from the 'Party of Regions' and 'Petro Poroshenko Bloc'. Kuznetsov was one of the lawmakers who supported draft law No. 12414 aimed at reducing the control of NABU and SAP.

The investigating judge of VAKS, at the request of NABU detectives, supported by the Attorney General, applied a preventive measure to the people's deputy, one of the suspects in the corruption case regarding the procurement of drones and electronic warfare equipment.

SAP confirmed that Kuznetsov was arrested, but did not specify his name. The court partially agreed with the proposal of the SAP prosecutor and applied a preventive measure in the form of detention with the possibility of paying bail of 8 million hryvnias. The issue of possibly appealing this decision is currently being resolved.

Details of Kuznetsov's case

According to the investigation, the corrupt activity involved entering into state contracts for the procurement of drones and electronic warfare equipment at inflated prices. The criminals received up to 30% of the contract amount as a bribe. Similar suspicions have also been announced against the former head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration and the head of the city military administration. This case also involves the commander of a National Guard military unit, a beneficial owner, and the director of the UAV manufacturing company.

We remind you that the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky earlier reported on the disclosure of a corruption scheme involving an MP and officials. Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko confirmed the initiation of an investigation regarding the participants in this case.