In Kobolev case, the investigation is preparing to question witnesses in court – prosecutor
11 March 12:24
In the NABU case on charges of former Naftohaz head Andriy Kobolev of illegally paying himself almost 230m hryvnias in bonuses, the investigation is preparing to move to the stage of questioning witnesses. This is evidenced by the statement of the Prosecutor during one of the sessions of the VAKS, informs Komersant ukrainskyi 
with reference to the text of the court ruling.
Thus, the Prosecutor, justifying the risks that exist in the proceedings, in the case of release Kobolev he procedural duties noted the following:
“The prosecutor justified the risk of influencing witnesses by the prescriptions of the legislation, which require direct perception by the court of the testimony from witnesses in the court hearing. Since now in the criminal proceedings the time before the examination of witnesses is approaching, in the opinion of the prosecutor, the risk of influencing witnesses becomes more relevant than at the initial stage of consideration of the proceedings”.
VAKS during the above court session determined the measure of restraint for Kobolev, in particular, considered the motion of the SAP on the extension of procedural duties imposed on the ex-head of Naftogaz.
The SACS judges granted the motion of SAP, determining that the validity of the procedural duties imposed on Kobolev, extended until March 23, 2025 inclusive.
Among the duties imposed on Kobolev are:
1) to inform the court of any change of residence;
2) refrain from communicating with witnesses;
3) to deposit all passports for traveling abroad with the State Migration Service of Ukraine.
Kobolev case
According to the NABU version, Kobolev took possession of more than UAH 229 million in 2018 – his actions are qualified under part 5 of article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (misappropriation, embezzlement of property or taking possession of it by abuse of office).
This article provides for a penalty of imprisonment for 7 to 12 years with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to 3 years and confiscation of property.
NABU detectives believe that Kobolev, while holding the position of the head of Naftogaz “himself initiated the consideration of the Supervisory Board of the company to agree on the payment of a bonus to him “for the achievement of weighty goals”, and subsequently prepared amendments and additions to the submission on the bonus for extraordinary achievements, determining its size in 10 million U.S. dollars”.
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NABU is investigating another criminal case against ex-head of Naftogaz Kobolev
The NABU case on charges of ex-head of “Naftogaz” Andriy Kobolev in the illegal payment of 229 million UAH bonuses to himself is now transferred to the court and is being heard in the VAKS (proceedings № 42018000000001782). At the same time, it turned out that the NABU now has another criminal proceeding against Kobolev – No. 52023000000000177. And the facts that detectives are investigating within its framework are also related to the accrual and payment of multimillion bonuses to Kobolev.
In particular, the text of the relevant Resolution of the SACS notes that the case No. 52023000000000177 was separated from the case No. 42018000000001782. And this new proceeding concerns “the circumstances of payment of the second part of the bonus to Kobolev and agreement on the extension of the labor contract”.
