Ex-Privatbank Owner Leaves Ukraine Due to Possible Suspicion Notice
-
Loading... - Maxim Sidorov
- 12 Jul 2024
- 89 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Ukrainian oligarch Igor Kolomoisky’s partner, Gennady Bogolyubov, has allegedly fled Ukraine to avoid potential prosecution in the Privatbank criminal embezzlement case. Bogolyubov's spokesperson, however, denies these claims, stating that he left the country legally.
Background and Allegations
Fleeing Ukraine
Gennady Bogolyubov, former owner of Privatbank, reportedly left Ukraine to avoid being served a notice of suspicion and potential prosecution by the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine. According to sources from Ukraine’s leading media outlet, Ukrayinska Pravda, there are two versions of why Bogolyubov left: either to evade legal action or to visit his children abroad.
Media Speculation
Ukrayinska Pravda speculated that Bogolyubov fled Ukraine due to a possible notice of suspicion from the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine, which is investigating embezzlement cases involving Privatbank. The media outlet also reported that Bogolyubov used a fake passport to enter Poland with his Ukrainian passport.
Press Office Denial
Bogolyubov’s press office denied these allegations, stating that he left the country legally and there was no travel ban against him. They highlighted that Bogolyubov is over 60 years old, not of conscription age, and has seven children abroad, five of whom are under 18 years old.
Legal Actions and Statements
Notice of Suspicion
Following the news, the Ukrainian Economic Security Bureau and the Office of the Prosecutor General issued a notice of suspicion, claiming that Bogolyubov crossed Ukraine’s border illegally using a Ukrainian passport that had been reported lost in 2022. The notice also mentioned that he collaborated with a Ukrainian border official to facilitate his exit.
Border Crossing Details
Law enforcement officials stated that Bogolyubov crossed into Poland with his legal Ukrainian passport. Both Bogolyubov and the border official were informed of suspicions regarding the illegal transportation of people across the state border and the illegal possession of a passport.
Privatbank Background
Nationalization of Privatbank
Privatbank, now state-owned, was under the ownership of Bogolyubov and Kolomoisky until 2018. The bank was nationalized by Ukraine after the ex-owners refused to recapitalize it as required by the central bank. The National Bank of Ukraine discovered that Privatbank’s corporate portfolio consisted entirely of insider loans issued to enterprises related to the former shareholders, primarily Kolomoisky and Bogolyubov.
Financial Mismanagement
The mismanagement jeopardized the bank’s ability to return deposits, leading to its nationalization and recapitalization with Hr.155 billion ($3.80 billion), which was absent from the bank’s capital.
Current Status
Kolomoisky's Detention
Kolomoisky, Bogolyubov’s business partner, has been in detention since September 2023 on suspicion of fraud. The ongoing investigations and legal actions highlight the continued scrutiny of Privatbank’s former management and their financial dealings.
Conclusion
The situation surrounding Gennady Bogolyubov’s departure from Ukraine remains contentious, with conflicting reports about the legality and motivations behind his exit. As the Ukrainian authorities continue their investigations, the case underscores the broader issues of financial misconduct and legal accountability within Ukraine's banking sector.
