Ukrainian MP accused of embezzlement as war-torn nation climbs up worldwide corruption index

A member of the Ukrainian parliament has been accused by authorities of embezzling more than £220,000, the BBC reports.

Andriy Klochko, a member of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Servant of the People party, allegedly purchased assets far exceeding his income, according to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU).

NABU did not publicly release the identity of the MP, however, Klochko had been named as the defendant by the Interfax Ukraine news agency and other Ukrainian publications.

According to a statement from NABU, the MP obtained assets valued at 25 million hryvnias (£507,000) between 2020 and 2021, despite the fact that at that time, his and his spouse's total stated income and savings were just 14 million hryvnias (£284,000).

According to the prosecution, that left an inexplicable gap of 11 million hryvnas (£223,000).

A joint investigation with the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine revealed that the Member of Parliament had acquired two automobiles—a Tesla and a Mercedes-Benz—in addition to three plots of land near Kyiv, five apartments in the Ukrainian capital, and two additional properties.

NABU asserted that the member of parliament registered the majority of these assets with close relatives in order "to conceal their ownership" while maintaining complete control over them.

The accusations of corruption against Ukrainian authorities have long plagued the country, making it difficult for Zelenskyy to portray Ukraine as a Western democracy on the rise and pursue military assistance.

According to an NGO Transparency International corruption perception index, Ukraine was placed 104 out of 180 nations in 2023, a rise of 12 spots from the year before.

Image: Title: z
ADVERTISEMENT

Opinion

View All

EXCLUSIVE: Dr. Drew GOES OFF on US gov over lack of transparency in Wuhan lab funding scandal: 'I find it disgusting'

"It seems like the bureaucracy itself is interested in undermining the will of the people."...

Former UK teacher found GUILTY after having student's baby while on bail for sex acts with another minor student

Rebecca Joynes, 30, was convicted by a jury on Friday for having sexual intercourse with two male stu...

Brazilian TikToker shot dead 'by hitmen' while live streaming

Local media outlets suggested that he had been involved in drug trafficking and organized crime....

GABRIELLE CUCCIA: My coverage of UW's Gaza camp almost cost me my life

"All I felt were the hands of male ANTIFA members, while they screamed hysterics."...