On Tuesday morning, November 10, the High Anti-Corruption Court confirmed that the bail for Serhiy Duka, Major General of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and a key figure in the high-profile 'Karthago' case, has only been partially paid. RBC-Ukraine was informed of this by the court's press service. Court representatives did not disclose the specific amount that has already been paid.
Case Progress and Chosen Pretrial Restraint
To recap, on November 6, the High Anti-Corruption Court chose a pretrial restriction for Duka — detention with the alternative of posting bail in the amount of 65 million hryvnias. Prosecutors had initially requested a bail of 100 million hryvnias, meaning the court reduced the requested amount. As of the morning of November 10, according to the HACC press service, the bail has not been paid in full.
Essence of the Charges in the 'Karthago' Case
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office served suspicion notices to five members of a suspected criminal organization, including SBU General Duka. According to the investigation, the suspects ensured the systematic provision of bribes to law enforcement officials, which allowed fraudulent call centers and other illegal businesses to operate unhindered.
The General's Role in the Gang's Structure
According to the investigation, General Duka was the one helping the leader of the 'Kriminal' syndicate resolve issues within the SBU and the Prosecutor General's Office. Thus, his figure connects the criminal structure with the upper echelons of the law enforcement and prosecutorial vertical.
Special Circumstances of Investigative Actions
As SAP prosecutor Mykola Karas previously stated, during investigative actions, detectives were unable to access the premises where Duka was located for about two hours because armed individuals obstructed them. This episode became one of the most high-profile developments during the unfolding of the case.
