General Sergey Duka Released on 65 Million Hryvnia Bail Amid Ongoing Court Appeal

Sergey Duka's Release from Detention

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: Major General Sergey Duka of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), accused of involvement in the criminal organization case known as 'Carthage,' has been released from pre-trial detention after posting bail amounting to 65 million hryvnias. This sum was collected through 1,612 individual payments, exceeding the bail set by the court. On November 7, the High Anti-Corruption Court ordered Duka to remain in custody for 60 days but allowed release on bail of 65 million hryvnias, despite prosecutors demanding a higher bail of 100 million hryvnias.

On November 5, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) charged five individuals suspected of forming a criminal group, including Sergey Duka. The case revolves around illegal activities involving bribery of senior officials within law enforcement agencies such as the SBU, National Police, and the Prosecutor General’s Office. The criminal group was founded and led by Andriy Osipov, known as 'Kriminal,' who was previously detained for attempting to extort $1 million in exchange for assistance in avoiding extradition to Russia.

Law Enforcement Response

Following the NABU investigation, the National Police suspended the implicated officers, and the SBU made significant personnel changes. SBU Chief Oleksandr Poklad dismissed two senior officials tied to the probe. Despite being removed from his position, Sergey Duka remains an employee of the SBU.

When leaving the detention center, Duka was greeted by a large group of people in military attire, including members of the special unit 'Alpha,' who handed him operational weapons. During his arrest, Duka reportedly attempted to destroy his mobile phones with an axe, but the investigating judge rejected the prosecution's claims of evidence destruction and resistance during detention.

It is important to note that SBU staff were not officially coerced into contributing to the bail funds. However, media reports on November 7 indicated that calls circulated among SBU personnel to support the bail collection. Further reports on November 8 revealed that in some regions, SBU employees were pressured to donate toward Duka's bail.

An appeal hearing concerning General Duka’s preventive measure is scheduled for November 26. Meanwhile, the High Anti-Corruption Court has already set bail conditions for other suspects in the case: Volodymyr Tsenov was placed under 60-day detention with a bail set at 15 million hryvnias, while Vitaliy Rybalka remains in custody without the option of bail.

Sergey Duka: 'We raised 65 million hryvnias for bail'

The developments surrounding Sergey Duka’s release highlight the complex challenges facing Ukraine’s law enforcement agencies. The suspension of senior SBU officials and proactive steps by NABU and SAPO demonstrate ongoing efforts to combat corruption within the system. Nevertheless, the true impact of these investigations and how events will unfold remain uncertain, as public attention remains sharply focused on this high-profile case.

As the legal proceedings continue, General Duka has publicly challenged the accusations made by NABU and SAPO, emphasizing the need for transparency and an open debate regarding the charges against him. This development adds another layer to the ongoing case and highlights the tensions within Ukraine's security agencies.