Spain Arrests Former Ukrainian Official Tied to Defense Kickback Scandal

Oleh Hladkovsky, the former first deputy secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), has been detained in Spain and faces extradition in relation to a graft case.

“On May 14, local law enforcement agencies in the Kingdom of Spain detained the former First Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, accused of causing state losses totaling Hr.17.44 million [$419,552],” Ukraine’s Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) said in a statement.

The issue of extraditing Hladkovsky to Ukraine is currently being resolved. While the prosecutor’s office did not name the detainee, Ukrainian outlet Ukrainska Pravda, citing its sources, said it was Oleh Hladkovsky.

Hladkovsky, formerly known as Oleh Svinarchuk until 2014, was a key business partner of Ukraine’s ex-President Petro Poroshenko. Hladkovsky headed the Bogdan Corporation, where Poroshenko also held shares.

Hladkovsky served on the National Security and Defense Council from 2015 to 2019.

Investigators allege that Hladkovsky abused his official position to benefit PJSC “Automobile Company Bogdan Motors,” in which he and his close associates had ownership stakes.

In early 2019, Ukraine’s Bihus.Info media outlet released an investigation alleging corruption in defense procurement. The report claimed that Hladkovsky’s son, Ihor, then 22, arranged the supply of smuggled Russian parts at inflated prices.

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Anti-Corruption Agency Seeks Seizure of Minister Oleksiy Kuleba’s Property

Ukraine’s Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) argued that Kuleba’s properties do not align with what has been his official income.

Oleh Hladkovsky allegedly received a $30,000 kickback from the scheme, and anti-corruption agencies were accused of covering it up.

Following the scandal, the National Anticorruption Bureau (NABU) launched criminal proceedings into the embezzlement of state funds. Hladkovsky was first detained on Oct. 17, 2019, while reportedly attempting to fly out of Ukraine with his family. He was later released on bail.

An indictment was filed in July 2021, but in November 2023, Hladkovsky left Ukraine. In April 2024, the High Anti-Corruption Court officially placed him on a wanted list at the request of SAPO.