05.12.2024 Money laundering

How the BES and law enforcement cover up MP Shapran’s crimes and help him avoid sanctions

On March 18, 2024, several steps were taken in Ukraine that call into question the effectiveness of the fight against corruption.

The head of the State Service of Geology and Subsoil, Roman Opymakh, signed an order to renew special mining permits for quarries that are part of the sanctioned Unigran company. This company, previously controlled by Russian businessman Igor Naumets, managed to circumvent sanctions through schemes involving individuals such as Sergey Shapran.

Enterprises such as Malynskyi Stone Crushing Plant, Korosten Quarry, and Pyniazevytskyi Quarry were threatened by sanctions restrictions, including on special permits for mining.

However, when the situation became critical for Naumets, he “re-registered” his assets to the newly formed companies and shared control over them with Shapran, a partner with a dubious reputation. Now these companies continue to produce, and some of the assets, the total value of which, according to preliminary estimates, is UAH 4 billion, have actually escaped sanctions control.

Who is Serhiy Shapran?

He is a businessman with a criminal record, a former MP who gained control over billions of dollars in assets, including sand quarries. Using corrupt connections, he:

  • Manipulates court proceedings, in particular in the Citrus case.
  • Owns offshore companies such as ALUMETA Group, which supply products even to Russia’s allied countries. By the way, the Brovary Aluminum Plant is registered in this offshore company.
  • It wins government tenders despite having multimillion-dollar debts. For reference, the amount of debt is currently UAH 440 million.

Earlier, Shapran had already come to the attention of law enforcement for concealing property worth UAH 9 million. Despite this, he remains the owner of the luxury yacht Princess Victoria and is also known for raiding competitors in Brovary.

In addition, over the course of 8 years, Shapran received 34 loans worth UAH 878 million from one bank, ASVIO Bank, owned by the Suprunenko brothers, former members of the Party of Regions with numerous corruption charges. Such loans may be a way to artificially increase debt to avoid paying taxes.

Shapran has a long criminal record behind him. He is also actively using the protection of law enforcement agencies. The BES is putting pressure on business in the interests of the former MP. And other agencies are deliberately delaying the investigation, avoiding their duty to bring Shapran to justice. Based on our materials, the Obolon District Prosecutor’s Office in Kyiv registered the case in the URPTI under Part 1 of Article 212 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and under No. 42024102050000187 and No. 420241020

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