The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine has completed a pre-trial investigation on charges brought against former Ukrainian Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko and his driver Leonid Prystupliuk of the embezzlement of budgetary funds.
The press service of the Prosecutor General’s Office reported on Monday that Lutsenko had been charged under part 5, Article 191 (the large-scale embezzlement of state property through the abuse of office, under a preliminary collusion by a group of individuals) and part 3, Article 365 (the abuse of office, which led to grave consequences) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Prystupliuk was charged under part 3, Article 191 (the large-scale embezzlement of state property through the abuse of office, under a preliminary collusion by a group of individuals) and part 3, Article 358 (the use of fake documents) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The press service also reported that Lutsenko and Prystupliuk had been informed about the completion of the pre-trial investigation. The materials of a criminal case were submitted to them for examination.
As reported, the Prosecutor General’s Office charged Lutsenko with the misappropriation and embezzlement of property through the abuse of office. The issue concerns the assignment of an extra pension payment of UAH 40,000 to his driver.
Lutsenko said that he considered the criminal case opened against him to be "the result of his political and police activities." On November 10, he challenged the opening of the criminal case in court.
