Railway baron with secrets
Like Yuriy Kravchenko, Heorhiy Kirpa allegedly committed suicide in the aftermath of the Orange Revolution. Kirpa, the transport and telecommunications minister in 2002-2004, was rumored to be involved in unlawful financing of Victor Yanukovych’s 2004 election campaign. As transport and telecom minister, Kirpa oversaw billion-dollar projects including the reconstruction of train stations, railways, highways, bridges and other public works. He also controlled financial flows in the lucrative telecom sector.
Kirpa was found shot in the head on Dec. 27, 2004, at his dacha outside of Kyiv, the day after the third round of presidential elections. His personal pistol lay by his side. Video cameras on his property didn’t reveal anything suspicious; neither did his two security guards.
The ensuing investigation concluded Kirpa’s death was suicide based on “moral-psychological discomfort.” His family and friends found it difficult accepting that explanation, and fled the country in fear of their own lives.
Kirpa’s career was riddled with questionable activities. It is alleged that a large share of state railway profits were siphoned to private companies. Interpol said that money transferred through company accounts belonging to his son and daughter were used to purchase prime real estate in Kyiv.As a political insider, Kirpa was believed to know about the criminal activities in which members of the outgoing administration were reportedly engaged. He was considered to be a liability to outgoing President Leonid Kuchma and, like Kravchenko, could have been a potential key witness in any prosecutions.
