The head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Oleksandr Poklad, dismissed from their positions two senior officers of the SBU who became subjects of an investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau as part of operation 'Carthage'.
The SBU press service reported this on November 4. The names of the leaders removed from office were not specified in the official statement.
The SBU stressed that they fully support anti-corruption bodies and assist in conducting all necessary investigative actions in the relevant criminal proceedings.
According to Poklad, he has already discussed the progress of the investigation with the heads of NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). Cooperation has been established between the agencies.
In addition, the SBU cooperates with special services of foreign states to investigate alleged crimes outside Ukraine.
"I am in contact with our colleagues from the special services of partner countries. We are doing everything necessary to ensure that the investigation of these crimes also takes place in other jurisdictions," Poklad said.
Separately, the SBU head addressed one of the subjects of the investigation, known by the nickname 'Mexican', offering him to voluntarily come to Ukraine and surrender to law enforcement agencies. Otherwise, Poklad promised to take measures for his search.
Earlier on November 4, NABU detectives and SAPO prosecutors conducted searches at several senior officers of the Security Service of Ukraine.
According to information from Ukrainska Pravda, investigative actions took place, in particular, at the First Deputy Head of the Department for Protection of National Statehood of the SBU, General Serhiy Duka. There were also reports of searches at the Head of the Main Department of Internal Security of the SBU, Anton Kravchuk, and other leaders of the special service.
On the same day, sources of the publication reported the detention of Serhiy Duka. At the same time, the official SBU statement on dismissals does not allow to establish whether he is among the two employees removed from office.
Operation 'Carthage' is connected with the investigation of an alleged criminal organization, whose participants, according to NABU and SAPO, systematically passed bribes to high-ranking law enforcement officers for the protection of fraudulent call centers and other illegal types of business.
According to the investigation, current SBU officers, National Police officers, Prosecutor General's Office personnel and representatives of criminal circles could be involved in the organization's activities. Anti-corruption bodies stated that at least 12 participants of the alleged scheme have been identified.
The investigation is ongoing. The guilt of specific individuals must be established by a court.
