Prosecutor General’s Office brings charges against former prosecutor

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Kyiv, October 21, 2015. The Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine has brought charges against the former Deputy Prosecutor of Kyiv region Oleksandr Korniyets, said Deputy Prosecutor General Vitaliy Kasko at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. According to Vitaliy Kasko in the course of investigation new facts arose pertaining to the ex-prosecutor based on three articles of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, that foresee up to seven years of imprisonment.

“The charges include illegal possession of firearms, in particular of a Kalashnikov rifle and 141 combat rounds of 7.62-mm caliber without the proper permission stipulated by the law,” said Vitaliy Kasko. The liability foreseen by Ukraine’s Criminal Code is three to seven years of imprisonment. “Korniyets was also notified that charges had been brought against him for purchase of equipment for secret collection of information. If the suspect does not come to the Prosecutor General’s Office today, we shall address the court demanding to change the pre-trial measure to detention,” said Kasko.

Ukraine’s Deputy Prosecutor added more allegations are being made against Oleksandr Korniyets, Volodymyr Shapakin and other current and former prosecutors. Kasko commented a citizen has claimed that Korniyets took over his business by means of racketeering, a criminal case was started that later at the order of someone from the Prosecutor General’s top management was illegally closed down. The information has now been checked, the facts proved, the provision on the closing of the criminal case has been annulled. “Thus, evidence was collected to bring charges against Korniyets related to part 2 of Article 189 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code – takeover of assets by an state official using his formal capacity,” said Vitaliy Kasko.

According to Vitaliy Kasko, based on the criminal proceeding in question the prosecutor will petition the Pechersk court asking for detention of Oleksander Korniyets. Moreover the Deputy Prosecutor confirmed that pressure is being continuously put upon investigative authorities by top management of the Prosecutor General’s Office.