"Carthage": Court considers pretrial measure for Tsenov, deputy head of National Police’s Strategic Investigations Department. VIDEO+PHOTOS
The High Anti-Corruption Court is deciding on a pretrial measure for Volodymyr Tsenov, first deputy head of the Strategic Investigations Department of the National Police of Ukraine, a suspect in the "Carthage" case.
A Censor.NET correspondent reports.
Details
The suspect has already been brought into the courtroom.
NABU's materials refer to him as "Price."
Court hearing
According to the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), another suspect, Osipov, was responsible for ensuring that the criminal activity was concealed and recruited Tsenov into the criminal organization no later than January 5, 2026.
"From January 5 to July 27, 2026, they were in close contact. Osipov would send lists of call center addresses, specifying their addresses, locations, staff numbers, and premises sizes, while law enforcement agencies, including the National Police's Strategic Investigations Department, took measures to prevent investigative actions and searches from being carried out," SAPO prosecutor Karas said.
In February 2026, Tsenov sent call center addresses in several Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Odesa. He also sent cryptocurrency wallet details for transferring funds.
According to the prosecution, on one occasion, the suspects mixed up an address, so a search began at the wrong location. Tsenov therefore took steps to secure the return of the seized property.
The property was returned through Kyiv's Pecherskyi District Court. The judge who considered the motion was Serhii Novak.
Securing the return of the equipment cost the suspects a total of $47,000.
Between January 6 and July 6, 2026, 223,995 USDT, or USD 223,900, was transferred to ensure that the call centers could operate unhindered.
In particular, 28,000 was earmarked for the prosecutor's office in June and 21,000 in July.
"The total transferred over seven months of call center operations amounts to $263,995. This covers only the dealings with the Strategic Investigations Department," SAPO said.
Tsenov is suspected of three particularly serious crimes.
The prosecutor noted that the suspect poses a flight risk. He has three children, which entitles him to leave Ukraine.
He also has extensive connections with judges, prosecutors, investigators and other officials.
The prosecution noted that during the search, Tsenov refused to cooperate with NABU, including refusing to disclose his phone password.
A further $45,000 was seized at the official's workplace.
The prosecutor is seeking remand in custody with bail set at UAH 20 million.
What does the defense say?
The lawyer says his client did not obstruct investigative actions.
The defense also argues that bail of UAH 20 million is excessive.
The lawyer is seeking house arrest or, alternatively, remand in custody with bail set at UAH 998,000.
Tsenov supported his lawyer's position.
The judge retired to deliberate.
Earlier reports said that anti-corruption authorities had detained Tsenov.
Background
- NABU earlier reported that a senior Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) official was threatening to use a weapon and obstructing a search.
- The Bureau subsequently said that NABU and SAPO had exposed a criminal organization that systematically bribed senior SSU, National Police, and prosecution officials to provide "protection" for fraudulent call centers and other illegal businesses.
- NABU said that the "Carthage" investigation had exposed a criminal organization whose members had arranged systematic bribes to senior law enforcement officials to ensure the unhindered operation of fraudulent call centers and other illegal businesses.
- It was subsequently reported that anti-corruption authorities had detained General Serhii Duka, first deputy head of the SSU's Department for the Protection of National Statehood.
- SSU chief Oleksandr Poklad dismissed two senior Service officials implicated in NABU's investigation under Operation "Carthage." He also suggested that a suspect in the case known as "Mexican" return to Ukraine and surrender to law enforcement.
