A former housing director alleged to have embezzled over 1 million UAH has been granted political asylum in Russia, it has emerged.
The case revolved around former Director of the Department of Housing and Communal Services of Kharkiv Regional State Administration (KRSA) Roman Gryva.
Press-secretary of the Prosecutor of the Kharkiv region Vita Dubovik said that according to Interpol, he was released from custody and therefore his extradition to the Ukrainian side is most likely be denied.
The Prosecutor’s Office initiated a trial in absentia. In autumn 2015 Ukraine prepared a complete package of documents for his extradition from Russia.
“The prosecutor’s office of the Kharkiv region appealed to the court to conduct trial in absentia against the suspect. The court must ensure he is not on the Ukraine’s territory and refuses to come to the bodies of pre-trial investigation.
“Thus, the court calls him in public through the media. Within 10 days, the court will decide whether to conduct the proceedings in absentia or not,” said Dubovik.
BACKGROUND: The official is charged with misappropriation, embezzlement or taking possession of property on a large scale through abuse of office and abuse of power.
When head of the Department of Housing (December 2014 – March 2015) Gryva is alleged to have signed a contract on construction with “Kommuntrest”, embezzling more than 1 285,000 UAH.
