SBU General Sergei Duka Detained by High Anti-Corruption Court for Leading Criminal Network Shielding Fraudulent Call Centers

Detention of an SBU General Amid Corruption Investigation

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: The High Anti-Corruption Court has ordered a 60-day detention for Sergei Duka, a general in Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). He faces allegations of masterminding a criminal organization that shielded illegal call centers from law enforcement scrutiny. While the court set bail at 65 million hryvnias, prosecutors had demanded a higher sum of 100 million hryvnias. The court’s decision was publicly announced on November 6.

Due to a letter from the Security Service warning of a potential terrorist threat, journalists were barred from attending the court hearing. Prosecutor Mykola Karas was not allowed to review this letter and requested the recusal of the investigating judge; however, the court rejected this motion. Meanwhile, Duka’s defense lawyers also sought to remove the prosecutor, but their request was denied. The session was partially closed: evidence and prosecution arguments were heard behind closed doors, while the defense was conducted openly.

Case Details and Uncovering of the Criminal Network

Sergei Duka serves as the deputy head of the SBU’s Department for the Protection of National Statehood. In the investigation known as 'Carthage,' he is identified by the codename "Akim." He is suspected under Article 255, Part 1 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code for forming a criminal group or organization. During a search, Duka was recorded destroying two mobile phones with an axe, as reported by Oleksandr Abakumov, head of the main unit of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU).

“He completely smashed two phones and one hard drive,” Abakumov stated.

On November 4, NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) revealed a bribery scheme involving high-ranking officials across law enforcement agencies. Participants included senior members of the SBU, National Police, the Prosecutor General’s Office, and criminal elements. In response, the National Police suspended several officers pending investigation.

• Oleksandr Poklad, head of the SBU, has already dismissed two top officials implicated in the probe.
• On November 5, NABU and SAPO charged five members of the criminal organization, including Volodymyr Tsenov and Vitalii Rybalka.
• The High Anti-Corruption Court imposed preventive measures: Tsenov was detained for 60 days with bail set at 15 million hryvnias, while Rybalka was held without the option of bail.

Andriy Osipov, known as "Kryminal," led the criminal group. He previously faced arrest on charges of extorting a significant sum to help avoid extradition to Russia.

The case against Sergei Duka continues to develop, with ongoing investigations uncovering additional suspects and deepening the scope of corruption within Ukraine’s security apparatus.

This arrest and the exposure of the criminal network highlight significant corruption challenges within Ukraine’s law enforcement bodies. The involvement of senior officials from the SBU, police, and other government agencies in these illicit activities reveals entrenched links between organized crime and state institutions. This investigation represents a critical step forward in Ukraine’s fight against corruption and may help restore public trust in anti-corruption agencies. Nonetheless, persistent vigilance and decisive government action remain essential to prevent similar abuses in the future.

As the investigation into corruption within Ukraine's Security Service unfolds, the recent actions by SBU Chief Alexander Poklad, who has dismissed two senior officials in connection with the same 'Carthage' probe, highlight the escalating efforts to combat corruption at high levels. For more insights into these significant developments, see the full story on the leadership changes within the SBU here.