Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Bureau Charges Ex-Cyber Chief with Illicit Enrichment
Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) have charged former cybersecurity unit head Illia Vitiuk with illicit enrichment and filing false asset declarations. The State Security Service (SBU) accuses NABU of political motivation and weak evidence.
Vitiuk, dismissed from his post in May 2023, faces allegations that funds for a Kyiv apartment came from a man suspected of embezzling from the state railway. NABU suspects the apartment's true value was nearly double the reported price. This is not the first time Ukrainian cyber officials have been suspected of financial abuse.
The SBU, however, claims the charges are politically motivated. It detained a senior NABU detective in July, suspecting them of aiding Russia. The SBU also alleges that its raids on NABU employees were conducted without court warrants and used excessive force. Vitiuk has engaged lawyer Iryna Kalyna to defend against the charges.
Vitiuk's charges and the SBU's counter-accusations highlight ongoing tensions between Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies. The case is expected to be closely watched as it progresses through the courts.
