Top anti-graft court once again overrules NABU’s motion to extend ex-Naftogaz CEO case

Kobolev broke the news on Facebook, reports Ukrinform.

"HACC overruled the second motion by NABU detectives and SAPO (Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutor’s Office) prosecutors. Now either they forward the case to court or close it. We’ll find out soon," Kobolyev said.

This was also confirmed by the Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office.

"On April 14, the Investigating Judge of the State Criminal Investigation Department left without consideration the request of NABU detectives, approved by the SAPO prosecutor, to extend to six months the term of the pre-trial probe in the criminal proceedings against the former chairman of the board of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine, who is suspected of embezzlement in the amount of over UAH 260 million. The term of the pre-trial inquiry in the said criminal proceedings expires on April 19, 2023," the report noted.

The SAPO added that in connection with the specified court ruling, the issue of completing the pre-trial investigation and allowing the defense to study the case is currently being resolved.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on April 14, NABU announced the need to continue the investigation against Kobolyev due to new evidence emerging - correspondence of individuals involved in awarding the ex-CEO a bonus in the amount of UAH 229 million.

The bureau made public part of the seized materials, which, as the Office explained, they decided to publish in view of the public significance of the case and a number of statements made by the defense team.

As Ukrinform reported, on April 12, the HACC investigating judge denied the motion to extend the pre-trial investigation of the criminal proceedings against the former Naftogaz of Ukraine CEO Andriy Kobolyev.

The investigating judge's ruling is not subject to appeal. The pre-trial investigation in the case expires on April 19.

Given the court's decision, the case investigation should be completed by this time, and the indictment should be submitted to the court for consideration on the merits, or the case should be closed.

The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office told Ukrinform that the prosecution would evaluate the evidence obtained to determine whether it is sufficient to bring the case to court.

The former Naftogaz of Ukraine CEO Andriy Kobolyev, was served with a notice of suspicion on January 19. According to the investigation, he illegally secured the payment of bonuses worth over UAH 229 million.

Kobolyev is being held in custody in the form of bail of UAH 229 million and is obliged to wear an electronic bracelet.