SBU General Posts Full $1.5 Million Bail in Ukraine Criminal Network Case

The full bail amount has been paid for Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Major General Serhiy Duka, who is suspected of involvement in a criminal organization investigated under Operation Carthage, RBC-Ukraine reported on Nov. 13. On Nov. 6, the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) ordered Duka held in custody for 60 days, setting bail at UAH 65 million ($1.5 million) as an alternative to detention. Prosecutors had requested UAH 100 million ($2.3 million).JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The payment completes an earlier UAH 44 million ($1 million) bail payment, with the remaining UAH 21 million ($480,000) now covered. The identities of those who provided the money have not been disclosed. What is Operation Carthage? Operation Carthage is a major anti-corruption investigation by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) into an alleged criminal network involving senior law enforcement officials. The investigation became public on Nov. 4, when NABU released recordings and other materials alleging that officials from the SBU, National Police and Prosecutor General’s Office helped shield a criminal organization from prosecution in exchange for bribes. According to investigators, the network had at least 12 members and facilitated the operation of fraudulent call centers, drug trafficking, illegal cigarette production and counterfeit foreign currency businesses. The case also involves allegations of kidnappings, torture and violence against people considered threats to the organization. Other Topics of Interest The announcement comes a week after anti-corruption investigators accused Ukrainian security and law enforcement officials of helping the criminal group. At the center of the scheme, according to NABU, was a Russian citizen with ties to the FSB, known by the codename “Mexican,” who allegedly founded the international drug cartel Khimprom. His people in Ukraine included individuals who allegedly ensured the cartel’s immunity and protection for its drug trafficking through law enforcement agencies, including the SBU. Duka, who served as first deputy head of the SBU’s Department for the Protection of National Statehood, is suspected of using his position to protect the organization from investigations. According to NABU’s materials, he used the codename “Akim” in conversations with other alleged members. Five people have been formally notified of suspicion in the case. General allegedly threatened investigators and destroyed evidence Duka’s arrest followed a confrontation with NABU detectives during a search of his property on Nov. 4. According to NABU Detective Unit chief Oleksandr Abakumov, the general threatened investigators with a firearm and smashed two mobile phones and a hard drive with a hammer during the search. Abakumov also said armed personnel obstructed detectives from entering the premises for approximately two hours, while members of the SBU’s Alpha special forces unit allegedly attempted to evacuate Duka. The allegations have intensified scrutiny of the SBU, Ukraine’s main security and counterintelligence agency, and renewed questions about corruption and the protection of criminal interests within law enforcement. Following the revelations, SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad dismissed employees implicated in the investigation, and the agency said it would cooperate with NABU. President Volodymyr Zelensky subsequently announced further personnel decisions and backed mandatory asset declarations for all SBU personnel. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.