Detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) on January 31, 2018 under the procedural leadership of the prosecutors of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) have reported suspicion to two persons of committing crimes under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - embezzlement of property in especially large amounts.

These are ex-director of Zealand Holdings Inc. and the ex-president of the Sea Trident shipping company (100% of both companies belong to the state). The latter was detained under Article 208 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of Ukraine, the NABU press service reported.

Investigators established the ex-president of Sea Trident together with the former director of Zealand Holdings Inc and other officials of the Infrastructure Ministry of Ukraine in breach of Ukrainian laws, using the power of attorney of the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine, sold at low prices the merchant vessels African Lark, Etna, Elbrus and Everest, transferred by the Ministry of Transport of Ukraine as a contribution to the authorized capital of Sea Trident.

As a result of such actions, the state was caused damage to the total amount of more than UAH 219 million, which is confirmed by the findings of forensic examination. Now the issue of electing a preventive measure to the suspects is being decided.

The pre-trial investigation into the above-mentioned facts was opened by NABU detectives in December 2015 after the transfer of the relevant materials from the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine for investigation.