Theft of UAH 1.5 billion in shells: a preventive measure was not chosen for the defendant

The High Anti-Corruption Court on Monday, January 29, rejected the request of the prosecutor and did not choose a preventive measure for the former head of the Department of the Ministry of Defense, Alexander Liev, who was involved in the case of theft of almost 1.5 billion UAH from the purchase of ammunition for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Suspilne reports.

It was noted that the prosecutor asked for custody of Liev on bail in the amount of UAH 268.9 million, but the court rejected the request. At the meeting, showman Oleskandr Pedan and head of the strategic planning and evaluation service of the National Security and Defense Council Andrei Demartino expressed a desire to take Liev on bail.

Lieva and four other people are suspected of embezzling nearly 1.5 billion hryvnias for the purchase of shells for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to the SBU, in August 2022, officials of the Ministry of Defense entered into a contract for the purchase of a batch of artillery shells with the arms supplier Lviv Arsenal. The Ministry of Defense then transferred the money to the company’s accounts, but the company did not send the artillery.

Let’s recall that on January 29, the Ministry of Defense announced the appointment of the director of the Defense Procurement Agency. It is headed by Marina Bezrukova.