Detectives of the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) on July 26 completed a pretrial investigation against Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine deputy Oleksandr Onyshchenko, who is suspected of organizing a corrupt scheme to steal public funds during the extraction and sale of natural gas in the framework of agreements on joint activities with the PJSC Ukrgazvydobuvannia. The investigation has been dubbed "the gas case."

NABU's website said, "Since the suspect is outside Ukraine, his lawyers are notified about the completion of the investigation, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 24-1 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine," NABU said.

Currently, suspects and their advocates have been granted access to the investigation materials for review. After that, an indictment will be drawn up for further referral to the court.

As earlier reported, Onyshchenko is suspected of organizing a scheme to steal funds during the extraction and sale of natural gas as part of joint venture agreements with PJSC Ukrgazvydobuvannia, which caused about UAH 3 billion in losses to the state.

The SBU also announced the launch of a pretrial investigation against Onyshchenko on the grounds of high treason.

Ukraine's parliament on July 5, 2016, gave consent to prosecute, detain and arrest Onyshchenko. However, before the voting, taking advantage of the status of a deputy, Onyshchenko left the territory of the state.

He was placed on the national wanted list on August 8, 2016.