News Feed

Court seizes over $1 million in crypto assets from former state communications head

1 min read

Ukraine's High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) has ordered the seizure of cryptocurrencies totaling $1.5 million from Yurii Shchyhol, the former head of the State Special Communications Service, the court announced on Nov. 30.

The court order comes amid an ongoing investigation into Shchyhol for embezzlement of public funds intended for a data registry system.

Shchyhol, along with five others, is accused of embezzling $1.7 million in state funds for the purchase of equipment and software between 2020 and 2022.

HACC announced the seizure of $1.2 million of the Tether USDT cryptocurrency, and $275,000 worth of Bitcoin. Additionally, $72,000 and €82,000 in cash were found in Shchyhol's possession during a search of his property.

Shchyhol was detained on Nov. 23 but released from custody on a Hr 25 million ($693,000) bail one day later. The government previously dismissed Shchyhol from his post on Nov. 20.

Ukraine's ongoing battle against corruption remains prominently in the public eye, aligning with one of the seven criteria recommended by the European Commission for the nation's integration.

Ukraine has made some progress in rooting out corruption since the start of Russia's invasion. A recent report on the start of Ukraine's EU accession talks revealed that Ukraine is on track to double the number of indictments on corruption charges from previous years.

Ukraine war latest: Zelensky visits Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia oblasts as harsh winter looms on front line
Key developments on Nov. 30: * Zelensky, Umerov visit military command post in Kupiansk * Zelensky travels to Zaporizhzhia, holds meeting on fortifications * Russian attacks on Donetsk, Kherson oblasts kill 3, injure 12 * Von der Leyen: 480,000 EU-made shells delivered or on the way to Ukraine…
Article image
Avatar
Dmytro Basmat

Senior News Editor

Dmytro Basmat is a senior news editor for The Kyiv Independent. He previously worked in Canadian politics as a communications lead and spokesperson for a national political party, and as a communications assistant for a Canadian Member of Parliament. Basmat has a Master's degree in Political Management from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Read more
News Feed
Show More