The government of Ukraine and the ex-prime minister became the objects of criminal prosecution. The anti-corruption prosecutor's office opened a case of official negligence: Alexey Goncharuk did not ban the export of medical masks and other medical products on the eve of the coronavirus epidemic. The former head of government knew for sure that export should be banned, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Alexei Danilov warned about this with his two special letters. Both documents were published yesterday by Ukrainian media. They expressly say that in view of the impending epidemic, it is necessary to immediately stop the export of medical masks, protective suits and gloves abroad.
The first letter is dated January 31, the second was sent on February 8. Both marked "urgent." Moreover, in the second, Danilov asks to notify him of the measures taken by February 10. Export was banned, but only on March 11th. That is, the decision was made by the new Prime Minister Denis Shmygal, which means that Goncharuk ignored the warnings of the NSDC. Two or three weeks before Goncharuk’s resignation, all the goods listed in the letters began to enjoy excessive demand in Ukraine. Even before the quarantine was announced, the price of medical masks in pharmacies increased several times, and then they completely disappeared from sale. No wonder. European countries declared quarantine, China bought a huge amount of masks for free distribution to its citizens.
According to the data of the former prosecutor general Yury Lutsenko, 983.5 tons of masks were taken out of the country during the winter season, more than half - in February, when it was already obvious that the coronavirus was about to reach Ukraine. There are several hypotheses explaining the reasons for the strange behavior of the former prime minister. According to one of them, the sale of scarce goods was carried out by people from the party "Servant of the people." In particular, the deputy Mikhail Radutsky, who conducted trade with businessmen from Israel, made a fortune on these dubious transactions. From there, the masks were resold to China.
According to another version, no one was in charge of trade. The supplier list includes dozens of intermediary firms. And, finally, according to the latest version, China is behind this whole story, having managed to sell exports through commercial structures connected with the Ukrainian government (referring to the founder of Ali, Jack Ma). The most recent scandal broke out recently. One of the TV channels filmed a video about the export of medical masks and filters to them in Spain. The seller was the Kharkov company Buk, the export of goods went under the slogan "Clean air in any conditions."
The Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office responded to the publication of Danilov’s letters by immediately initiating a criminal case against Goncharuk.
The Chief Bureau of Investigation will clarify the circumstances. Judging by the instant reaction, the decision to prosecute was made in advance.
By the way, the export of masks continued even when the first case of coronavirus was detected in Ukraine on March 3.
However, on March 4, the Rada dismissed the chairman of the Cabinet.
Under the 367th article of the Criminal Code imputed to him (“Official negligence”), serious liability is stipulated - from two to five years in prison. And, apparently, Goncharuk has almost one hundred percent chance of moving to places not so remote. The fact of the above negligence is evident. The only thing the investigation should establish is that the prime minister had a certain corruption interest not to veto export or it was a blatant lack of professionalism, which became the hallmark of the ruling team in Ukraine.
The author’s point of view may not coincide with the position of the publisher.