Investigation believes Pishny acted as intermediary in transfer of Karpatnaftokhim stake in exchange for lifting of seizure

Essence of accusation: bribe for lifting of seizure

Head of the National Bank of Ukraine Andriy Pishny has come under suspicion of acting as an intermediary in the transfer of corporate rights. According to the main version of the investigation, 33% of the corporate rights of the company "Karpatnaftokhim" may have been transferred as a bribe. The purpose of such a deal was to lift the seizure from the enterprise's production facilities and prevent its transfer to the Agency for the Recovery and Management of Assets (ARMA).

According to ZN.ua sources among law enforcement officials, the share of corporate rights was re-registered in the name of Vasyl Vesely. This person is considered linked to state authorities, and the role of intermediary in this operation, investigators believe, may have been played by Andriy Pishny.

Mechanism of possible scheme and key figures

"Karpatnaftokhim" is an asset that previously belonged to the Russian company "Lukoil". In 2017, the enterprise came into the ownership of Ilham Mamedov and Ihor Shchutskyi. According to the publication's information, the third unofficial co-owner was the late People's Deputy and one of the leaders of the "People's Front" party, Andriy Ivanchuk, who was friends with Pishny.

Publicly, Ivanchuk denied his co-ownership in the enterprise. Meanwhile, his involvement in the asset was previously claimed by Ihor Kolomoyskyi and former head of "Ukrspiryt" Mykhailo Labutin.

A ZN.ua source reports that during the investigation, law enforcement officers obtained evidence that it was Ivanchuk whom his partners entrusted to resolve issues in interaction with law enforcement agencies. Pishny also features in this version, having known Ivanchuk since their student days.

Investigators believe that Pishny may have acted as an intermediary who ensured the implementation of the scheme. One of the grounds for the search, according to the publication, was evidence of close ties between the NBU head and other figures in the case, in particular with Vasyl Vesely.

Obstacles to investigation and legal aspect

Proving the circumstances of a possible agreement is difficult: Andriy Ivanchuk has died, and Ilham Mamedov and Ihor Shchutskyi are outside Ukraine.

Meanwhile, a ZN.ua source believes that the investigation has substantial evidence, which became the basis for obtaining a court order for the search.

The version presented is the position of the investigation, conveyed by the publication's sources. It does not mean that the involvement of Andriy Pishny or other mentioned persons in the crime has been proven in court.