The High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) chose detention or bail of UAH 25 million for the ex-head of the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection, the press service of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) reported on Thursday morning.

"On November 22, 2023, at the request of the SAPO prosecutor, the investigating judge of the Supreme Court of Ukraine chose a custody status for the former Chairman of the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine, who, together with other persons, is suspected of embezzling public funds of more than UAH 62 million during the purchase of software by the State Service designed to create a system of secure data registers," the SAPO said.

The court partially granted the request of the NABU detectives, agreed by a SAPO prosecutor, and applied detention to the former head of the State Special Communications Service with a UAH 25 million alternative bail and imposing procedural duties if it is posted.

This concerns the former chairman of the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection Yuriy Schyhol.

As reported, on November 20, NABU and SAPO exposed an organized group consisting of the leadership of the State Special Communications Service, which seized public funds worth more than UAH 62 million. Investigators found that in 2020, the owner of a group of companies, in collusion with the leadership of the State Special Communications Service, developed a scheme to seize budget funds allocated for the purchase of equipment and software.

To do this, two controlled companies were involved, and the purchase was kept secret to avoid open bidding and ensure their victory. The state-owned enterprise subordinate to the State Special Communications Service entered into agreements with these companies for the supply of relevant software and services and transferred funds of more than UAH 285 million in 2021-2022.

"However, the real cost of the software that the companies purchased from a foreign manufacturer was UAH 223 million, and the participants in the crime took possession of the difference of more than UAH 62 million. These funds were transferred to the accounts of controlled companies abroad for the purpose of legalization and distribution among members of the organized group," the law enforcement officers said.

NABU and SAPO announced suspicion of embezzlement of state funds of more than UAH 62 million to the head of the State Special Communications Service, his deputy and other officials. Six people are suspected of committing crimes.