Former head of Berdyansk port taken into custody after new verdict by the High Anti-Corruption Court

The Appeals Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice overturned the acquittal in the USPA case: both defendants were taken into custody.

This was stated in a statement by the court’s press service.

On May 19, the Appeals Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice passed a new verdict in the USPA case, overturning the previous decision of the court of first instance dated November 11, 2022.

Then, the Supreme Court acquitted the former head of one of the USPA branches, finding his guilt in abuse of office and official forgery during procurement in 2018-2019 unproven. Together with him, the head of the branch of a limited liability company, who was accused of aiding and abetting, was also acquitted.

However, following the results of the appellate review, the court partially satisfied the prosecutor’s complaint, found both persons guilty, and issued a new decision.

The former head of the USPA branch was found guilty under Part 2 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. He was sentenced to four years in prison, a three-year ban on holding certain positions, and a fine of UAH 8,500.

The court found the former head of the LLC branch guilty of aiding and abetting abuse of power and official position (Part 5 of Article 27, Part 2 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). She was sentenced to three years in prison, a ban on holding positions, and a fine of 8,500 hryvnias.

Both were also found guilty under Part 1 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (official forgery). However, their punishment under this article was canceled due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

The convicts were taken into custody in the courtroom. The decision entered into force from the moment of its announcement, but can be appealed in the Cassation Criminal Court of the Supreme Court.

According to the Ліга The “League”, this concerns the former head of the Berdyansk port, Oleksandr Barchan, and the former head of the supplier company, Natalya Panchenko.

Earlier, USM reported that the court arrested Kolomoisky’s grain terminal in the port of Pivdennyi.