Ukrainian Security Service accuses government of 1.7 billion machination
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04 Mar 2009 16:51 ]
Kiev – APA. Ukrainian Security Service confirmed that the service agents are in the head office of state energy firm Naftogaz, APA reports quoting Ukrainskaya Pravda. Officials Spokeswoman for the Security Service Maryna Ostapenko said it was a standard investigation.
“It is linked to the investigation launched into the alleged diversion of 6.3 billion cu m gas. Inspectors are working in Naftogaz now. Documents are being confiscated. This is all within the framework of the law,” she said.
First deputy chairman of the Security Service, acting chairman Valeri Khoroshkovsky accused the government of illegal machination.
“We have determined that on January 21 and February 5 the sum “not large” for Ukrainian state - $1.7 billion was transferred between Ukraine and Russia. At first the money was sent ostensibly to pay for transit. The same day the sum was sent back to Russia via the bank in Ukraine controlled by Russian investors. Maybe they feared that the sum might be “frozen” in Ukraine. On February 5, Russian side again paid 1.7 billion to buy gas from Ukraine, while there was no gas in gas holder. The same day the sum was again sent back via that bank to Russia,” he said.
The parliament appealed to Prosecutor General Alexander Medvedko to investigate the legality of arrest of Taras Shepitko, officer of regional energy customs of State Customs Committee. Speaker of the parliament Vladimir Litvin said a temporary investigation commission might be established in the legislative body in connection with it. He condemned raid to the head office of Naftogaz.
“One government institution raids another government institution. The country is collapsing and we are standing on different sides of the barricades awaiting its collapse. Government institutions are made serve a politician,” he said.