The head of the legal department of the State Railway Administration (Ukrzaliznytsia), Oleh Titov, has said that officers from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) did not find any cash or documents proving the commission of offenses in the office buildings of Ukrzaliznytsia or offices of its senior officials.
Titov told a press conference on Tuesday that money was found only in the home of Ukrzaliznytsia’s First Deputy General Director Maksym Blank and that all questions regarding the source of this money should be addressed to Blank.
See also “Ukrzaliznytsia's First Deputy General Director Comments On Raid On His Agency”
Regarding the seizure of documents from Ukrzaliznytsia, Titov said that law enforcement officers seized "two folders of photocopies."
Titov also stressed that investigations by a commission set up by the State Financial Inspectorate and a commission set up by the Ministry of Infrastructure have been extended until October 29 and November 7, respectively. Therefore, according to him, it is premature to say that any violations were uncovered without waiting for the results of these commissions’ investigations.
In addition, according to him, in October Ukrzaliznytsia asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs to provide information about criminal cases related to the outcome of investigations of tender committees. As of October 15, criminal cases against members of the tender committees did not exist.
According to Titov, the situation in Ukrzaliznytsia involves people who are prevented from performing shady operations by these investigations and the beginning of reforms. Many senior officials of these companies will lose their powers and capabilities if a joint-stock company is created, he said.
As reported, officials from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Prosecutor-General’s Office seized more than UAH 7 million and USD 1 million in cash during 19 searches at Ukrzaliznytsia and premises controlled by people linked to Ukrzaliznytsia last week. More than 100 officers conducted the searches. The SBU’s Chairman Valentyn Nalyvaichenko later said, “A money-laundering syndicate had been operating in Ukrzaliznytsia for years.” However, Ukrzaliznytsia has said that it initiated the criminal proceedings that prompted the searches.
