Major General of the Security Service of Ukraine Serhiy Duka, suspected of participation in a criminal organization in the "Carthage" case, was released from the detention center on November 13 after posting bail of 65 million hryvnias. After his release, he declared his innocence.
Footage of the general's release and his statement was shown during the TSN broadcast.
On the morning of November 13, the High Anti-Corruption Court confirmed that the full amount of bail set by the court decision had been paid for the former first deputy head of the SBU's Department for Protection of National Statehood. Prior to that, Duka had been in custody since November 4.
The general himself denies the suspicions of the anti-corruption agencies. Earlier, he claimed that the criminal prosecution was related to a conflict between the SBU and the leadership of NABU, and that the recordings of conversations published by the investigation did not reflect all the circumstances of the case.
More than 65 million hryvnias raised for bail
As reported by Ukrainska Pravda citing sources, 1612 separate payments were made to post bail for Duka. The total amount of transfers even exceeded the bail amount set by the court.
The fundraising continued for several days. According to information from Transparency International Ukraine, on November 9, the HACC account held 22 million hryvnias, on November 10 — 44 million, on November 11 — 59.8 million, and on November 12 — 60.7 million hryvnias. On the morning of November 13, the required amount was fully raised.
The general's lawyer Yuriy Sukhov in a comment to Femida publication said that the bulk of the money was transferred by employees of the Security Service of Ukraine. However, he did not name specific payers, explaining that he was not directly involved in organizing the fundraising.
Earlier, Ukrainska Pravda wrote that messages with appeals to participate in raising money for the general were circulated among SBU employees. Sources of the publication also claimed that in some units, employees were allegedly obliged to transfer certain amounts depending on their position. There is no independent confirmation of the coercive nature of such payments yet.
Despite posting bail, Duka's defense continues to challenge its amount. According to Sukhov, lawyers have filed an appeal because they consider the amount disproportionate to the financial capabilities of the suspect and his family.
What restrictions apply after release
On November 6, the High Anti-Corruption Court selected a measure of restraint for Duka in the form of detention for 60 days with the alternative of posting bail. The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office insisted on a higher amount — 100 million hryvnias, but the court set it at 65 million.
After release from the detention center, the general must comply with procedural obligations established by the court. In particular, this includes restrictions on movement, a ban on communicating with certain individuals, and wearing an electronic monitoring device.
According to the lawyer, after fulfilling the conditions of release, he sees no legal grounds for re-detaining Duka without new procedural circumstances.
Posting bail does not terminate criminal proceedings and does not mean the suspicion is lifted. The investigation against the general continues, and his guilt can only be established by a guilty verdict of the court.
What NABU and SAPO suspect the general of
On November 4, NABU and SAPO reported the exposure of a new criminal organization as part of Operation "Carthage." According to the investigation, its participants arranged the systematic transfer of bribes to high-ranking law enforcement officials for the unimpeded operation of illegal business.
Investigators claim that the group supported the activities of fraudulent call centers, engaged in drug trafficking, production of counterfeit cigarettes, and counterfeit foreign currency. In addition, members of the organization are accused of organizing attacks, kidnappings, and infliction of bodily harm.
According to NABU, the criminal organization included at least 12 people. Among the alleged participants, the investigation names representatives of the SBU, the National Police, the Office of the Prosecutor General, and the criminal underworld.
In the investigation materials, Serhiy Duka appears under the pseudonym "Akim." According to detectives, he provided protection for members of the group from the attention of Security Service employees and facilitated resolution of issues in law enforcement agencies.
In particular, as reported by Suspilne, the investigation links the organization's activities to the "Khimprom" drug cartel and the alleged organizer of the criminal group Andriy Osipov, known by the nickname "Criminal."
Duka accuses anti-corruption agencies of revenge
During the hearing on the measure of restraint, the general denied the charges and stated that NABU's actions may be related to his previous official activities.
According to Duka, he and his subordinates were documenting alleged wrongdoing by officers of the anti-corruption bureau. The general claimed that he had been warned in advance about possible criminal prosecution if he did not leave his position.
On November 10, lawyer Yuriy Sukhov released an open letter from Duka from the detention center. In it, the general urged that his actions be assessed on the basis of evidence, not published videos and individual fragments of conversations.
He also proposed holding a public discussion with NABU Director Semen Kryvonos and SAPO Head Oleksandr Klymenko to discuss the circumstances of the investigation.
In turn, anti-corruption agencies insist that the suspicions are justified. The investigation continues, and the final legal assessment of the suspects' actions must be given by the court.
