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Prosecutors: Suspect in defense funds embezzlement case detained in Greece

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Prosecutors: Suspect in defense funds embezzlement case detained in Greece
Artillery shells. Illustrative purposes only. (Lionel Bonaventure/Getty Images)

Greek authorities detained a Ukrainian citizen suspected of embezzling Hr 43 million ($1.2 million) from Ukraine's Defense Ministry's budget, the Prosecutor General's Office reported on Nov. 15.

The suspect, whose identity was not revealed, was reportedly detained in Athens on Nov. 13.

Between March 2 and May 10 last year, the suspect allegedly seized funds that a company received as military procurement advance payment from the defense ministry.

The suspect was the director of the company at the time and colluded with other individuals in the scheme, the Prosecutor General's Office said.

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The person was formally charged on July 12, 2022, and a request for his detention was sent to Greek authorities on Nov. 6, 2023. Ukraine also asked Interpol to issue a red notice regarding the suspect.

The person is currently under temporary arrest in Greece, and the request for extradition is being drawn up, prosecutors said.

Defense procurement corruption scandals were the main factors behind the firing of former Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov. One of the scandals concerned overpriced food supplies, and the other overpriced and poor-quality winter jackets for the military.

Tackling corruption and ensuring greater procurement transparency was one of the chief tasks set by President Volodymyr Zelensky to Reznikov's successor, Rustev Umerov.

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Martin Fornusek

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Martin Fornusek is a reporter for the Kyiv Independent, specializing in international and regional politics, history, and disinformation. Based in Lviv, Martin often reports on international politics, with a focus on analyzing developments related to Ukraine and Russia. His career in journalism began in 2021 after graduating from Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, earning a Master's degree in Conflict and Democracy Studies. Martin has been invited to speak on Times Radio, France 24, Czech Television, and Radio Free Europe. He speaks English, Czech, and Ukrainian.

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