SSU General Duka, suspect in "Carthage" case, released from Lukianivske pretrial detention center. VIDEO
Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) General Serhii Duka, who is implicated in the "Carthage" case, has been released from pretrial detention after bail was posted.
This was reported by a Censor.NET correspondent.
Details
He thanked his fellow servicemen and SSU employees for helping post the "baseless and unjustified" bail, which he and his family could not afford.
"I did not commit the crimes that NABU and SAPO accuse me of. This is retaliation by the heads of the anti-corruption agencies for last year's events, namely, documenting corruption offenses committed by NABU employees and their leadership," the SSU general said.
He said these cases had not been pursued because of instructions from the country's top political leadership.
Duka said he would be fitted with an electronic monitoring device and surrender his passport for foreign travel, and that he had no plans to go into hiding.
Earlier, lawyer Sukhov told Censor.NET that the defense was appealing the preventive measure imposed by an investigating judge of the High Anti-Corruption Court.
The prosecution has also filed an appeal.
Following his release from pretrial detention, Duka must comply with the following procedural obligations:
- Refrain from communicating with a number of individuals: SSU head Oleksandr Poklad, National Police head Maksym Tsutskiridze, Oleksandr Kovalchuk, an officer of the SBU's Department for the Protection of National Statehood, and Odesa City Administration head Serhii Lysak;
- Surrender his passports for foreign travel;
- Wear an electronic monitoring bracelet.
NABU's Operation "Carthage"
- 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.
- NABU and SAPO named five suspects in providing cover for illegal businesses. Those implicated include senior Security Service of Ukraine and National Police officials.
- The main suspects in the case were remanded in custody without bail on November 5–6.
- On November 6, the High Anti-Corruption Court ordered SBU General Serhii Duka, detained as part of NABU's Operation Carthage, to be remanded in custody with bail set at UAH 65 million.
- On November 13, it became known that the full bail amount had been posted for Duka.
