Corruption

No suspects yet in NABU’s new case on Kobolev bonuses

The NABU is conducting criminal proceedings regarding the payment of the second part of the bonus to former Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolyev. This is a new case, which was removed in 2023 from the previous one, which had already been transferred to the HACC. No one has yet been served with a notice of suspicion in the new proceeding No. 52023000000000177, according to the HACC ruling, Komersant ukrainskyi reports.

“…according to an extract from the URPTI in criminal proceedings No. 52023000000000177 dated 14.04.2023, the subject of the pre-trial investigation is the circumstances of the payment of the second part of the bonus to the Chairman of the Board of Naftogaz of Ukraine, agreed by the decision of the Supervisory Board of Naftogaz of Ukraine No. 5/2018 dated 16-18.04.2018. Thus, the pre-trial investigation body is checking the facts of the legality of the payment of the second part of the bonus to the Chairman of the Board of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine, approved by the same decision of the Supervisory Board of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine.

From the extract from the URPTI, the panel of judges found that no person was notified of suspicion in criminal proceedings No. 52023000000000177 dated 14.04.2023, and the proceedings at the time of the decision of the motion of the defense counsel PERSON_7 is at the stage of pre-trial investigation,” the Ruling says.

Earlier, as reported by [Kommersant] wrote nABU did not disclose details of another case against Kobolyev.

Kobolev’s case

According to the NABU, Kobolev seized 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 or seizure of property by abuse of office).

This article provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of 7 to 12 years with disqualification to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to 3 years and confiscation of property.

The NABU detectives believe that Kobolyev, while holding the position of the head of Naftogaz, “himself initiated consideration by the Supervisory Board of the company of the issue of approving the payment of a bonus to him “for achieving significant goals”, and subsequently prepared amendments to the proposal for the bonus for extraordinary achievements, determining its amount at USD 10 million”.