MP Viktor Bondar detained

The NABU and the SAP have charged MP Viktor Bondar with involvement in a scheme to embezzle over 140 million hryvnia from the budget of Ukrzaliznytsia. 

The indictment also mentions Bondar’s accomplice, a businessman with whom he allegedly organised the inflation of prices for supplied cable and wire products.

Investigations established that between 2021 and 2022, companies controlled by Bondar and his partner won tenders for the supply of products to Ukrzaliznytsia due to a collusion with members of an organised criminal group that controlled the procurement process. As a result, products were supplied at prices significantly exceeding market rates, causing the enterprise damage of over 140 million hryvnia.

Viktor Bondar is a prominent figure in Ukrainian politics:

• former Minister of Transport and Communications (2005-2006);
• former head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration (2007-2010);
• Member of the Verkhovna Rada since 2012, initially elected from the Party of Regions;
• in 2010, he was arrested in the case of the destruction of the Teremki bus station, but was soon released due to the absence of a crime.