Director of Neuropsychiatric Care Home Under Investigation
The director of a neuropsychiatric care home in Kyiv is under formal suspicion for abusing his official position by purchasing meat at inflated prices. According to the investigation, these actions caused losses exceeding 300,000 hryvnias to the Kyiv city budget. The charges have been brought under Part 1 of Article 364 of Ukraine's Criminal Code.
Alleged Actions and Legal Consequences
Prosecutors allege the director signed a contract worth approximately 1.2 million hryvnias with a private company to supply meat for patients, deliberately bypassing the legally mandated electronic procurement system. This system is a crucial safeguard, especially under Ukraine's current martial law. The article under which he is charged carries a potential penalty of up to three years' imprisonment.
This case emerges amid a series of procurement investigations by Kyiv police. Authorities recently concluded a pre-trial investigation into a 53-year-old head of a department within the Kyiv City State Administration. That official is suspected of purchasing diesel generators for heating points in 2023 from a private firm without checking market prices, resulting in a significant overpayment.
The case against the care home director highlights systemic vulnerabilities in Ukraine's public procurement oversight. These incidents underscore the critical need for stricter enforcement of procurement laws, particularly during wartime when transparent and efficient use of public funds is paramount for national resilience. Public trust in government spending is a key issue as Ukraine continues to defend itself against aggression.