16:54 21.07.2015

Ukrainian prosecutors ask London to extradite former Ukrspecexport chief - media

2 min read
Ukrainian prosecutors ask London to extradite former Ukrspecexport chief - media

The CentrInterpol Nationalal Bureau in Britain confirmed that former head of the Ukrspecexport state-run concern Serhiy Bondarchuk, who was placed on the international wanted list, is staying in Britain.

"Suspect Bondarchuk is put on the international wanted list and according to the Interpol National Central Bureau in Britain is found staying in that country," the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office said in reply to a request from lawmaker of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction Serhiy Leschenko, the Internet publication Ukrayinska Pravda said on its website.

The Prosecutor General's Office made an extradition request to British law enforcement agencies to bring Bondarchuk to criminal responsibility.

Interpol said on its website on June 15 that Bondarchuk was on the international wanted list in connection with misappropriation, embezzlement or conversion of property by malversation committed with respect to an especially gross amount.

The Ukrainian Interior Ministry put Bondarchuk on its wanted list in February. The chief military prosecutor's office said he was suspected of defrauding the company of $7.428 million.

On January 21 Bondarchuk was informed that he was suspected of violating part 5 of Article 191 (gross embezzlement via abuse of office under a preliminary collusion by a group of persons) and part 2 of Article 366 (fabrication causing serious consequences) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. On January 29 the investigating magistrate of the Pechersky district court of Kyiv permitted the detention of Bondarchuk and his appearance in court to decide on whether he should be remanded in custody.

The court also seized the suspect's assets - $10 million in Ukrainian banks and two Range Rover cars worth over UAH 2 million.

In Britain, Bondarchuk has prepared lawsuits in Ukrainian and European courts against Ukrainian state institutions. He finds the criminal case against him falsified.

"I stayed in Britain after my service mission as an officer of the Ukrainian Security Service was over. I was forced to make a choice between a Soviet-type cell of the ChKa-NKVD times which was prepared for me, and the freedom of action. I choose the freedom that will make it easier for me to prove my truth," he said regarding his decision to stay in Britain.

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