The National Agency on Corruption Prevention accuses acting Mayor of Zaporizhia of unlawful enrichment of over 9 million UAH

The National Agency for Prevention of Corruption of Ukraine has reported the identification of signs of illicit enrichment of Anatoliy Kurtev, the secretary of the Zaporizhzhia City Council, amounting to over 9 million hryvnias (approximately 226 thousand euros). Currently, Kurtev is performing the duties of the city’s mayor.

The suspicions of unlawfully acquired funds are disclosed on the website of the National Agency for Prevention of Corruption of Ukraine.

During searches conducted in Kurtev’s rented apartment in August of the previous year, detectives from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) discovered and confiscated nearly 600 thousand hryvnias (over 15 thousand euros), 230 thousand dollars, and 650 euros. The search was carried out as part of a case in which Kurtev may be involved.

Kurtev himself informed the National Agency for Prevention of Corruption of Ukraine that he knows nothing about the seized funds and the apartment. However, the investigation revealed that he used this residence along with his assistant. This is confirmed by witnesses and footage from surveillance cameras.

As stated by the National Agency for Prevention of Corruption of Ukraine, the seized funds do not correspond to the income officially received by Kurtev. In his revised declaration for the year 2020, Kurtev stated that he had no monetary assets. Information from the taxpayer registry indicates that his incomes for 2021 and 2022 did not allow him to accumulate the confiscated amount.

The assistant to the city council secretary, who also resided in the apartment, claimed that the seized funds belonged to him and his parents. However, the National Agency for Prevention of Corruption of Ukraine found that neither he nor his parents could have legitimately obtained such funds.

“Thus, Kurtev acquired unjustified assets amounting to 9 million 31 thousand hryvnias, exceeding his lawful incomes,” summarizes the National Agency for Prevention of Corruption of Ukraine.

Information about the illicit enrichment has been transferred to the National Agency for Prevention of Corruption of Ukraine for further investigation.

Recall that Kurtev was involved in a case of misappropriation of humanitarian aid in Zaporizhzhia.