المدعيونertiati Ukrainian anti-corruption agency investigates former SBU deputy chief Serhii Duka during Operation Cartagena
Ukraine’s National Agency on Corruption Prevention searched and detained Serhii Duka, a former deputy head of the Security Service of Ukraine’s national security protection department, as part of Operation Cartagena. The search on 4 November was marked by armed resistance from SBU personnel, including threats against investigators, while Duka attempted to destroy two phones and a hard drive.
أبرز النقاط
- Serhii Duka was detained on 4 November during a search conducted under Operation Cartagena.
- SBU special forces reportedly threatened NABU investigators with weapons and planned to remove Duka from his home.
- One SBU employee pointed a laser-sighted weapon at an investigator attempting to climb over a fence and threatened to shoot.
- Duka tried to destroy two phones and a hard drive with a hammer.
- NABU deployed five officers from its Special Operations Department for the search.
- Operation Cartagena involved at least 12 people, including SBU Major General Akim and senior National Police officials.
- SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad dismissed two senior officials who became suspects in the NABU investigation.
لماذا يهمّ ذلك
The search was part of Operation Cartagena, which uncovered an alleged network of fraudulent call centers operating with the involvement of SBU and National Police officials. The armed resistance during the search and Duka’s attempt to destroy electronic devices raised questions about interference with an anti-corruption investigation. The operation also resulted in the detention of senior security officials and produced recordings allegedly discussing corruption, violence and an attempt on journalist Denys Bigus.
ماذا حدث
On 4 November, NABU searched the home of Serhii Duka, the former first deputy head of the SBU’s Department of National Security Protection, and detained him during Operation Cartagena. Five officers from the NABU Special Operations Department took part. SBU representatives did not cooperate, and SBU special forces reportedly threatened investigators with weapons. When one investigator tried to cross a fence, an SBU employee pointed a laser-sighted weapon at him and threatened to shoot. Duka went onto a balcony and attempted to hammer two phones and a hard drive. The investigators completed the search and detained Duka after further negotiations and the arrival of his lawyers.
كيف تصفه المصادر الأوكرانية
Ukrainian media reports focused on the chronology of the search, the armed confrontation, Duka’s attempt to destroy electronic evidence and NABU’s role in the detention. The coverage linked the search to Operation Cartagena, identified alleged participants and cited published recordings concerning corruption, violence and an attempt on a journalist.
أين تختلف الروايات
Oleksandr Abakumov rejected reports describing the event as an assault by NABU and characterized the search as a routine investigative action. The reported circumstances, however, described armed obstruction by SBU personnel, including threats against investigators and a weapon being pointed at an investigator.
الخلفية
Operation Cartagena was conducted as part of an investigation into a drug syndicate with a Russian connection. According to investigators, the network operated fraudulent call centers with the support of SBU and National Police officials and included at least 12 people. SBU Major General Akim, National Police Department of Strategic Investigations chief Prais, drug trafficker Meksikanets and repeat offender Kryminal were among those identified as participants. The SBU confirmed searches involving its employees, after which SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad dismissed two senior officials who became suspects in the NABU investigation.