Carthage Case: Full bail of 65 million hryvnias posted for SBU General Serhii Duka

The High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) has confirmed that the full bail amount of 65 million hryvnias has been posted for Major General Serhii Duka of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), who is suspected of involvement in a criminal organization in the "Carthage" case. RBC-Ukraine was informed of this by the HACC press service. Thus, Duka is ensured release from custody under the measure of restraint chosen by the court, with the previously deposited 44 million hryvnias supplemented by the remaining 21 million.

Court Decision and Prosecution's Position

On November 6, the HACC placed Duka in custody while setting an alternative bail measure of 65 million hryvnias. During the hearing, prosecutors requested a sum of 100 million hryvnias, but the court settled on the lower figure. Before the bail was fully paid, the general was short 21 million hryvnias, having previously deposited 44 million.

Charges and the General's Role in the Ring

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) have served notices of suspicion to five members of the criminal organization, including Duka. According to the investigation, they ensured systematic bribes were paid to law enforcement officials, allowing fraudulent call centers and other illegal businesses to operate unhindered. Furthermore, investigators claim the general assisted the organizer of the "Kriminal" ring in resolving issues within the SBU and the Prosecutor General's Office.

Operation Carthage Course

On November 4, NABU and SAPO released new audio recordings related to the case. According to NABU, the group included at least 12 people, among them incumbent officials of the SBU, the Prosecutor General's Office, and the National Police. Serhii Duka himself was detained on November 4 in the village of Roslavychi, Kyiv region, as part of Operation Carthage.

Obstruction of the Investigation

According to SAPO prosecutor Mykola Karas, detectives were unable to enter the premises for about two hours because they were obstructed by armed individuals. Earlier, NABU also reported obstruction of searches by the SBU, including threats with weapons directed at detectives. These circumstances became part of the broader picture of the operation, during which several high-ranking law enforcement officers were detained.