SBU involved in investigation of Naftogaz case because it can mar country's image, says SBU official

One of the reasons why the Security Service of Ukraine is involved in the investigation into a criminal case of the alleged seizure of transit gas by national JSC Naftogaz Ukrainy officials is that the illegal operations with gas can mar the country's image, SBU First Deputy Head Valeriy Khoroshkovsky has said

"I will tell you that the SBU's special interest in the case is also caused by the fact that there could be claims against the state," Khoroshkovsky told reporters on Friday.

"RosUkrEnergo is a Swiss company, no matter who its founders are, or which surname they bear. This is a Swiss company which has already brought several lawsuits against Naftogaz Ukrainy, and maybe against the state, I do not know for certain," the SBU first deputy head said.

"I want to say once again, we can refuse to take any forceful actions in the future. Acting within the law, we can find out the status of gas that has disappeared... The thing is that if we are given these documents everybody will see that the gas has been stolen," he said.

SBU first deputy chief promised to give all the open documents to reporters who conduct journalistic investigations into this matter.