Court in Liechtenstein arrests $22 million of fomer head of "Naftogaz" Kobolyev: money was withdrawn from Ukraine

A court in Liechtenstein has seized the funds that former Naftogaz CEO Andriy Kobolyev withdrew from Ukraine. The amount is over $22 million.

The decision was made by the Princely District Court of Vaduz in Liechtenstein, Ukrainian News reports. In particular, the court's decision prohibits the disposal (i.e., seizure) of the funds for $22,215,522. At the same time, the defense did not provide the court with information on the total amount of funds held in the respective accounts.

According to the court materials, the bail bondsmen who posted bail for Kobolyev for UAH 107 million are also demanding that UAH 44 million be returned to them. In this regard, the lawyers asked to change Kobolev's preventive measure from bail of UAH 107.13 million to UAH 62.9 million.

The defense lawyer also referred to the inappropriateness of the prosecutor's statement on the property status of the accused and noted that his property status was not confirmed by new documents from the prosecution. However, Kobolyev's bank accounts abroad are blocked due to criminal prosecution, and he cannot use this money.

In turn, the court criticized Kobolyev's lawyers' references to the decision of the Princely District Court of Vaduz (Liechtenstein) to ban the disposal of funds on the accounts of the accused and his ex-wife as a statement that he does not have any funds. The panel of judges is also convinced that while receiving an official salary and buying artwork, Kobolyev could have made some savings that are not in the accounts of Liechtenstein banking institutions.

Kobolyev is accused of illegally receiving a $10 million bonus. The case concerns Kobolyev's receipt of a bonus of about UAH 260 million in the spring of 2018. In January 2023, Kobolyev was served a notice of suspicion for receiving the bonus.

According to the prosecution, in 2018, the former chairman of the board of Naftogaz of Ukraine initiated consideration by the supervisory board of Naftogaz of Ukraine of the issue of approving the payment of the bonus. Later, according to prosecutors, Kobolev prepared amendments to the application for payment of the bonus for extraordinary achievements, setting the amount of the bonus at $10 million.

At the same time, Kobolyev is suspected of deliberately concealing information about the maximum amount of performance-based bonuses from members of the Supervisory Board and the Nomination and Remuneration Committee. At the same time, the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) allowed Kobolyev to temporarily travel abroad.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!