Ukraine’s prosecutor general opens internal inquiry into alleged prosecutor links to criminal networks
Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General has opened an internal investigation into allegations that unidentified prosecutors may have used their authority to return seized property linked to illegal call centers and the U420 retail network. The inquiry was ordered by Anton Kovalsky, acting prosecutor general, following media reports published during the second stage of the “Carthage” operation. The Office stressed that the investigation does not establish individual guilt.
Key points
- The Office of the Prosecutor General opened an internal investigation into new facts reported during the second stage of the “Carthage” operation.
- Acting Prosecutor General Anton Kovalsky ordered the investigation.
- The inquiry will examine whether prosecutors used their authority or status for private interests, influenced other officials, or took other improper actions.
- The allegations concern the possible return of seized property linked to illegal call centers and the U420 retail network.
- The Office said the launch does not establish that any individual has committed an offense.
- Office spokesperson Mariana Haiovskа-Kovbasiuk said the individuals named in published materials had not been identified when the inquiry began.
- Any decisions will depend on the findings and the Office’s assessment of the evidence.
Why it matters
The inquiry extends scrutiny of alleged protection of criminal networks from law-enforcement agencies to prosecutors’ offices. It will examine whether prosecutors abused their powers, influenced other officials, or took other improper actions for private interests. Its launch does not establish individual guilt, and any disciplinary or other decisions will depend on the findings and the Office’s assessment of the evidence.
What happened
The Office of the Prosecutor General opened an internal investigation into allegations published during the second stage of the “Carthage” operation. Acting Prosecutor General Anton Kovalsky issued the order after media monitoring and reports highlighted possible assistance by unidentified prosecutors in returning property seized in criminal proceedings involving illegal call centers and the U420 network. Investigators will check whether prosecutors used their official powers or status in private interests, influenced the work of other officials, or committed other improper actions. The Office said the launch of the inquiry does not mean that any individual’s involvement has been established and that decisions will be made within its powers if the findings justify them.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting focuses on the formal status and scope of the internal investigation, including who ordered it, what will be checked, and the caveat that individual guilt has not been established. It also places the inquiry within the broader “Carthage” operation and the reported allegations that criminal networks received protection from law-enforcement agencies.
Background
The second stage of the “Carthage” operation exposed alleged links between a criminal network and officials from the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police, and the Office of the Prosecutor General. The allegations now under internal review concern possible assistance in returning property seized in proceedings involving illegal call centers and the U420 retail network. The inquiry was initiated following media monitoring and published reports.