Director of CEO Club Ukraine detained in Poland: suspected of stealing 171 electric bicycles
Director and co-owner of CEO Club Ukraine Dmytro Karchuk was detained in Poland on a European arrest warrant issued by Germany. German investigators suspect him of involvement in the theft of 171 electric bicycles worth about 127 thousand euros, but the defense claims his personal data may have been used by third parties.
Karchuk was detained on July 28 while crossing the Polish border. When checking his documents, the system showed that he was wanted under a European warrant, after which the Ukrainian was placed in a detention center in Przemyśl.
According to German law enforcement, in September 2024, the suspect allegedly arrived by truck at a warehouse in Germany, presented forged transport documents, received a shipment of 171 electric bicycles, and did not deliver them to the recipient.
A Polish court ordered Karchuk to be held in custody for up to 60 days while the issue of executing the warrant and possible transfer of the detainee to Germany is being considered. A decision on the transfer has not yet been made.
What the defense says
CEO Club Ukraine and the legal team deny Karchuk's involvement in the alleged crime. Founder and president of the club Serhiy Haydachuk stated that during the events described, Karchuk was in Ukraine.
According to Haydachuk, the defense has data on border crossings, mobile operator billing, information on deliveries and payments, correspondence, photos, videos, and testimony from people who met with Karchuk on those days.
In addition, representatives of the club claim that at that time Karchuk was undergoing rehabilitation after knee surgery, walked on crutches, and did not have a driver's license of the required category to operate a truck.
The defense admits the possibility that the personal data of the Ukrainian businessman could have been used by participants in a fraudulent scheme involving cargo and forged transport documents. Who exactly received the electric bicycles and how Karchuk's details ended up in the materials of the German case has not yet been established.
Polish court has not yet addressed the issue of guilt
Lawyers emphasize that the current proceedings in Poland do not determine whether Karchuk committed a crime. The court must decide a procedural issue: whether there are grounds to execute the European warrant and transfer the detainee to German authorities.
Karchuk's interests are represented by the law firm Arzinger together with Polish and German lawyers. The defense is appealing the decision on detention and is requesting the release of the Ukrainian on bail or release on surety.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has confirmed that it is handling the case. The Consulate General of Ukraine in Lublin sent an urgent request to Polish authorities for access to Karchuk and is awaiting the granting of consular access.
Until the investigation is completed and a court decision is made, Karchuk is presumed innocent. The published circumstances reflect the version of the German investigation and the position of his defense.
Based on materials from: dev.ua, Interfax-Ukraine, RBC-Ukraine
