The State Bureau of Investigations (DBR) is investigating companies it said are linked to opposition lawmaker Viktor Medvedchuk for allegedly being involved in the illegal import of diesel fuel from Russia.
Medvedchuk, leader of the pro-Kremlin party Opposition Platform – For Life, is currently under house arrest amidst an ongoing investigation against him for treason, terrorism, and other charges.
The DBR stated that two vessels arrived at the Mykolaiv seaport in early October, each delivering 30,000 tons of diesel fuel. One vessel flew the flag of Panama; the other flew the flag of an undisclosed EU country. The fuel was shipped to a Ukrainian LLC that is “closely associated” with Medvedchuk, according to the bureau.
The fuel was priced at half the market rate, thus letting the companies involved avoid millions of hryvnias in import duties, DBR stated.
The bureau added that the ships had previously docked in Russia, where the fuel originated.
Reached for comment, Medvedchuk’s press secretary Oleh Babanin questioned the information.
“Who said he has any connections to the company?” Babanin told the Kyiv Post. “What is the name of the company? These are questions you should be asking the DBR.”
Both vessels have been detained. The DBR and regional authorities searched them and took samples of the diesel products for further examination.
