In the "Carthage" case, the posting of bail for one of the key defendants, former SBU Major General Serhiy Duka, is ongoing. As of the morning of November 10, according to Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) prosecutor Mykola Karas, 44 million hryvnias have been deposited into the account. This is nearly three-quarters of the amount determined by the court, reports RBC-Ukraine, citing Karas's statement.

Who and How Much Contributed

According to the prosecutor, the funds were collected from 1,113 contributors. Karas noted that the amounts vary: "There are different sums: some 10–20 thousand, some 100–150 [thousand]." Thus, the bail is formed not from a single large payment but from numerous small contributions, which points to organized financing from a circle of individuals connected to the defendant.

What is Needed for Release

On November 6, the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) chose a measure of restraint for Duka in the form of detention with the possibility of posting bail in the amount of 65 million hryvnias. Consequently, he still needs 21 million hryvnias more to be released from custody. Duka himself claimed during the court session that he did not have the means to pay such a sum. Previously, RBC-Ukraine reported that as of the morning of November 10, the bail had not been paid in full — now this figure has been updated to 44 million.

The Essence of the "Carthage" Case

NABU and SAPO have informed five participants of a probable criminal organization of suspicion, including SBU General Duka. According to the investigation, they ensured the systematic provision of bribes to law enforcement officials, allowing fraudulent call centers and other illegal businesses to operate unimpeded. Thus, the case concerns not a single incident, but rather a persistent scheme of "patronage" of illegal activities by high-ranking security officials, according to investigators.

The Episode with the Axe and Armed Men

The circumstances described by SAPO prosecutor Mykola Karas regarding Duka's actions deserve special attention. According to him, detectives were unable to enter the defendant's premises for about two hours because armed men were obstructing them. It also became known that Duka smashed his phones with an axe. Investigative bodies cite these details as evidence of attempts to destroy evidence and obstruct the work of detectives.

What's Next

At the moment, the issue of releasing Duka on bail remains open: 21 million hryvnias are still missing from the required 65 million. If the sum is paid in full, the court will consider a motion to change the measure of restraint; otherwise, the defendant will remain in custody. The investigation into the "Carthage" case is ongoing, and according to NABU and SAPO, it involves at least five participants of a probable criminal organization.