Media: Ukrainian coal businessman Kropachov detained
Businessman Vitaliy Kropachov was detained in Ukraine on May 17, Hromadske media outlet reported, citing unnamed sources in the State Bureau of Investigation.
Kropachov is the owner of the Ukrdoninvest Group of companies with assets in the coal industry, machine-building, construction, transportation, and media.
The businessman is suspected of fraud in the coal sector, Ekonomichna Pravda (EP) reported, citing unnamed law enforcement sources.
Kropachov used his company and officials at the Energy Ministry and the State Tax Service to defraud the sector, causing over Hr 2 billion ($50.7 million) in losses to the state, according to an investigation, the sources told EP.
Law enforcement authorities have yet to make a public statement.
In 2014, Kropachov reportedly bought several processing plants in the Ukraine-controlled parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, and the Krasnolymanska coal mine later in 2017.
EP wrote in 2018 that Kropachov had monopolized the supply of coal to the state-owned energy company Centrenergo. According to EP, more than 80% of the coal supplied to Centrenergo was provided by entities directly or indirectly linked to the businessman.
