PGO identifies $5.5 bln assets acquired for funds withdrawn from PrivatBank
The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine (PGO) has established a list of assets worth $5.5 billion, which were acquired for the funds withdrawn from PrivatBank (Kyiv), Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko has told the Kyiv-based Interfax-Ukraine news service.
"Currently we have the news that we have established huge assets of $5.5 billion, those at the end of the scheme, from yachts and Picasso's paintings to factories and real estate. This is the progress now," he said.
At the same time, the prosecutor added that to apply any measures of influence to the specified assets, it is necessary to establish their ultimate owner - the beneficiary. He noted that the statements of Kroll after the forensic audit have no legal force.
"The Kroll study showed how some companies through 30-40 accounts in Cyprus transferred the funds in one day and brought them to the "third wave" - a kind of offshore company that acquired certain assets. Now it is known what assets they are and this is similar to money laundering - Article 209 of the Criminal Code. But now the court needs a specific document certifying who is the beneficiary of this property. If these are really the ex-owners of PrivatBank, then we will be able to seize them through the Ukrainian court and the courts of other jurisdictions – there are many countries there, including the United States, Luxembourg, Austria, Spain, Cyprus," he said.
The PGO is currently working to obtain confirmation of the beneficiary of these assets.