Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities, NABU and SAPO, have launched an action against officials of the General Prosecutor's Office, suspected of involvement in a criminal network related to fraud through so-called "call centers".
The investigation, codenamed "Cartagena", is based, among other things, on audio recordings which suggest that senior Prosecution officials have accepted bribes in exchange for protecting these companies from criminal prosecution.
A senior official, referred to in the recordings under the pseudonym "Chancellor", has been arrested, writes DW. Suspicions have also affected the former Prosecutor General, Ruslan Kravchenko, who has resigned and denies any involvement in illegal activities. The recordings contain references that, according to investigators, can be linked to him, while it is alleged that an official involved also provided private services.
According to the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, there are about 1,000 illegal call centers operating in Ukraine, employing an estimated 60,000 people. The average revenue of such a company is estimated at about $1 million per month.
Investigations show that prosecutors may have received hundreds of thousands of dollars per month in bribes to protect some of these companies.
The scandal comes at a sensitive time for Ukraine, which is facing war with Russia and continued pressure to strengthen its fight against corruption.
