Senior SBU official obstructs NABU search and threatens with firearms

Obstruction of lawful investigative actions

An obstruction arose during the conduct of lawful investigative actions by detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU). It has emerged that a senior official of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is preventing representatives of the bureau from accessing the location where a search is to be conducted.

Threat of use of firearms

According to information obtained during the execution of the ruling of the investigating judge of the Higher Anti-Corruption Court (VACS), the SBU official is threatening to use firearms. These actions complicate the fulfilment of procedural obligations.

Reaction at the scene

In addition to NABU detectives, SBU special forces arrived at the location of the search.

NABU's assessment of the situation

The NABU press centre stated: «Такі дії є неприпустимими та перешкоджають виконанню законних процесуальних обов’язків детективів НАБУ» (Such actions are unacceptable and obstruct the fulfilment of the lawful procedural obligations of NABU detectives).

The bureau noted that it would provide detailed information on the further course of events later.