French police seize gold and cash from former Ukrainian top prosecutor

The publication sources said Piskun was detained because he could not provide proof of the origin of the money, bank documentation confirming the purchase of gold bars, or customs documents showing the legal import of the expensive watches into France.

French law enforcement has opened a criminal case on suspicion of money laundering, and authorities are now deciding whether to formally charge the former prosecutor general.

Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) earlier reported that, at its request, French authorities conducted searches at Piskun’s property on Dec. 17.

Sviatoslav Piskun served three separate terms as Ukraine’s prosecutor general — in 2002–2003, 2004–2005, and 2007. He holds the rank of lieutenant general of the tax police and the title of the 1st class State Justice Counselor.

From 2007 to 2012, he was a member of the Ukrainian parliament (V and VI convocations) representing the now-banned pro-Russian Party of Regions.

In 2020, Piskun briefly served as an adviser to then–Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, who said she appointed him on a volunteer basis due to his “experience.”

Dzerkalo Tyzhnya also reported that on Dec. 16–17, the SBI conducted searches related to the investigation involving oligarch Ihor Kolomoiskyi.

Journalists highlighted the case concerns the 2003 attempted murder of attorney Serhii Karpenko. Sources told the outlet that the former prosecutor general is suspected of receiving an illicit benefit to close the case — a case that allegedly involved Kolomoiskyi.