SBU brings corruption charges against several Justice Ministry officials

While omitting their names, the security service stated the accused include a former state secretary at the Ministry of Justice, along with a current head and deputy head of a ministerial department.

According to the SBU, the misappropriated funds were earmarked for purchasing server equipment and software to modernize the ministry’s electronic systems. In 2021, the suspects arranged a contract with an affiliated private company to buy new servers and software valued at UAH19 million ($457,000)—a sum that substantially exceeded the market rate. The investigation established that more than half of the allocated funds were stolen by the officials and their accomplices.

Besides the Justice Ministry officials, the indictment includes three managers from the private firm involved in the criminal scheme.

Charged with embezzlement through abuse of power, the accused are facing up to 12 years in prison.