HACC cuts bail for ex-Naftogaz head Koboliev
On April 30, the panel of judges of the High Anti-Corruption Court partially satisfied the defense motion of the former Chairman of the Board of Naftogaz of Ukraine Andriy Koboliev and reduced the amount of bail from 80 million to 50 million hryvnias.
This is stated on the website of the Supreme Court of Ukraine. The court also partially supported the bailor's appeal and decided to return 30 million hryvnias from the amount of bail previously paid by the company for the accused.
According to the Anti-Corruption Action Center, the defense argued the need to reduce the bail by saying that the guarantor is requesting the return of part of the funds for the implementation of energy projects. The lawyers also emphasized the reduction of procedural risks, since most of the witnesses in the case have already been questioned.
Currently, there are two more prosecution witnesses in the case who refuse to testify, as well as three witnesses who are abroad. The international legal assistance procedure is ongoing for them.
At the same time, the prosecutor of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office spoke out against the mitigation of the preventive measure. He stated the risks of the accused's possible escape and potential influence on witnesses.
Andriy Kobolev is a figure in the EBK database.
Recall, Andriy Kobolev is suspected of illegally receiving a bonus after Naftogaz won the Stockholm Arbitration. According to the investigation, the amount of the payment significantly exceeded the amount permitted by law. This is the first part of the bonus in the amount of $10 million. The SAPO claims that the maximum allowable amount of such a payment should have been 37.4 million hryvnias.
Earlier it became known that the court reduced his bail to 80 million UAH.
