NABU announces new suspicion notice in “Forrest Gump” and “Themis” cases

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine has announced a new suspicion notice in the “Forrest Gump” and “Themis” cases — concerning the laundering of money through bail for former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.

This was reported on NABU’s official website.

The bureau did not disclose the name of the suspect, but indicated that he is a businessman and former deputy of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council of the seventh convocation. According to investigators, he was engaged to obtain informal connections and influence in the judicial sphere.

According to the investigation materials, the suspect exerted pressure on the presiding judges of commercial courts in order to have decisions made in favor of companies and individuals linked to a criminal organization. He also allegedly participated in the raider seizure of two enterprises whose assets were valued at 248 million hryvnias (approximately €4.8 million).

In addition, the businessman, according to investigators, helped launder illegally obtained funds. These funds were intended to be used as bail for a participant in another criminal organization — in the “Midas” case.

Ukrainian public channels report that the individual in question is Vasyl Astion.

It was previously reported that the NBU is checking three more banks in connection with the case involving Halushchenko’s bail.