Ukrainian prosecutors launch internal inquiry over alleged misuse of authority in Carthage operation
Ukraine's Office of the Prosecutor General has opened an internal investigation into allegations that unidentified prosecutors may have helped return seized property linked to illegal call centres and the U420 retail network. The inquiry was ordered by acting Prosecutor General Anton Kovalsky and will examine possible abuse of authority or other improper conduct. The Office stressed that the investigation does not establish anyone’s guilt.
Pääkohdat
- The inquiry concerns allegations published during the second stage of the Carthage operation
- Acting Prosecutor General Anton Kovalsky ordered the internal investigation
- Prosecutors are alleged to have assisted in returning property seized in cases involving illegal call centres and the U420 network
- The review will examine possible use of official powers for private interests and other improper actions
- No individual identified in the published materials had been established as a suspect at the start of the inquiry
- Any decisions will depend on the findings and the Office of the Prosecutor General's assessment
Miksi tämä on tärkeää
The inquiry extends scrutiny of alleged protection of criminal networks from law-enforcement agencies to prosecutors' offices. It will test whether officials used their authority to assist private interests, influence other officials or took other improper actions. The launch of the investigation does not establish that any individual committed an offence, and possible disciplinary or other decisions will depend on its findings.
Mitä tapahtui
The Office of the Prosecutor General opened an internal investigation following media monitoring and published reports about alleged assistance by unidentified prosecutors in returning property seized during criminal proceedings involving illegal call centres and the U420 retail network. Acting Prosecutor General Anton Kovalsky issued the order. Investigators will check whether prosecutors could have used their powers or status for private interests, influenced the work of other officials or committed other improper actions. The Office said that the investigation's initiation does not establish any individual's involvement in wrongdoing and that decisions will be made within its powers if the findings provide grounds.
Näin ukrainalaiset lähteet kertovat asiasta
Ukrainian coverage has focused on the formal status and scope of the inquiry, including who ordered it, what will be checked and the caution that individual guilt has not been established. It has also placed the inquiry within the broader Carthage operation and reported allegations concerning protection of call centres and the U420 network. Separate Ukrainian reports and commentary concerned attempts to organise bail payments within the Security Service of Ukraine and possible knowledge by former Security Service leadership.
Tausta
The second stage of the Carthage operation exposed alleged links between a criminal network and officials from the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police and the Office of the Prosecutor General. The allegations now under internal review concern possible assistance in returning property seized in cases involving illegal call centres and the U420 retail network.