The director of the State Institute of Fisheries and Marine Ecology is suspected of authorizing the catch of nearly 258 tons of fish under the pretense of scientific research. However, investigators report that the fish were sold commercially and the proceeds were never recorded in the institute’s financial documents.
According to estimates, the Ukrainian state may have lost between 2.3 and 15 million hryvnias due to the scheme. The fishing methodology used was allegedly falsified, and the institute’s employees were only passive observers aboard the vessels.
The director has been charged under Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for abuse of office. He faces up to 6 years in prison, a fine, and a ban on holding official positions.
