The head of the Russian drug syndicate "Khimprom" discussed the possibility of bribing then-Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, who now serves as Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. The goal was to prevent the ban of chemical substances that the group used for drug sales.<\/b><\/p>
This was stated by Oleksandr Abakumov, head of the NABU detective unit, on the "UP CHAT" program on the "Ukrainska Pravda" YouTube channel, commenting on the materials of the anti-corruption operation "Carthage".<\/p>
According to Abakumov, the head of "Khimprom", nicknamed "The Mexican", indeed considered the possibility of influencing the decision of the Interior Minister to ensure the continued sale of narcotic substances through outlets linked to the group.<\/p>
"The minister's surname was indeed discussed by the head of "Khimprom" as the person through whom he wanted to resolve the issue", - confirmed the NABU representative.<\/cite><\/blockquote>However, as the detective explained, the intermediaries offered the head of the drug syndicate another option. Instead of a direct agreement with Klymenko, they discussed the possibility of involving in the drug business people who claimed they could influence the minister's decisions.<\/p>
According to Abakumov, an intermediary passed the proposal to unidentified persons, who in response offered to receive a share in the illegal business and use their influence on the official.<\/p>
At the same time, the detective separately emphasized that no direct contacts with Klymenko were recorded in the materials of the criminal proceedings.<\/p>
"According to the materials of the criminal proceedings, there was no communication with the minister, Klymenko", - stated Abakumov.<\/cite><\/blockquote>Currently, NABU detectives are trying to identify the persons who claimed they could influence the then-Interior Minister and discussed their participation in the drug business.<\/p>
Abakumov noted that the investigation has some information about possible intermediaries, but so far is not disclosing it in order not to harm the investigation.<\/p>
The day before, on November 5, the presidential communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn commented on the published NABU recordings. According to him, the materials of the "Carthage" case do not establish facts of bribe transfer either to Ihor Klymenko or to Health Minister Viktor Liashko, whose surname was also discussed by participants in the recorded conversations.<\/p>
Lytvyn noted that, according to his sources, the defendants were merely considering the possibility of offering money to officials. At the same time, it does not follow from the materials of the proceedings that such an offer was actually made.<\/p>
The presidential advisor also stressed that the changes to the government resolution banning the circulation of the respective substance were eventually adopted. He called for waiting for the presentation of evidence in court before drawing conclusions about the possible involvement of specific officials.<\/p>
Recall that on November 4, NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office reported the exposure of a criminal organization within operation "Carthage". According to the investigation, its participants set up systematic bribery of high-ranking law enforcement officials for covering fraudulent call centers, drug business and other illegal schemes.<\/p>
The investigation materials also feature representatives of the SBU, National Police, Prosecutor General's Office and the criminal environment. Anti-corruption bodies charged five participants of the organization.<\/p>
At the same time, the mere fact that Klymenko's surname was discussed by members of the drug syndicate does not prove his involvement in illegal agreements. NABU has not announced any suspicion against him in this episode.<\/p>
Based on materials from: Ukrainska Pravda<\/a>, Ukrinform<\/a>, National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine<\/a><\/p>
