National Police conduct 70 searches at medical facilities over schemes involving public funds. PHOTOS

The National Police of Ukraine are investigating possible schemes involving the misappropriation of funds in healthcare facilities. This concerns fictitious services provided under the medical guarantee scheme.

According to Censor.NET, this was reported by the press service of the National Police of Ukraine.

"Police officers are documenting schemes involving the misappropriation of budget funds that were intended for the treatment of Ukrainians under medical guarantee programmes. This concerns fictitious medical services and data manipulation in the electronic healthcare system. According to preliminary estimates, the amount of losses could reach hundreds of millions of hryvnias," the statement reads.

Investigators from the Main Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine, together with operatives from the Department of Strategic Investigations, regional units, public prosecutors’ offices, and with the assistance of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the National Health Service of Ukraine, are carrying out a series of measures to document and identify all those involved in the alleged offences.

The nature of the criminal proceedings

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted under a number of articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, in particular regarding the misappropriation and embezzlement of property (Article 191), abuse of power or official position (Article 364), forgery in the course of duty (Article 366), interference with automated systems (Article 362), official negligence (Article 367), and the legalisation of proceeds obtained by criminal means (Article 209).

Law enforcement agencies are identifying all individuals who may be involved in the alleged unlawful activities, as well as gathering evidence for further legal proceedings.