”Shlyakh” without legal grounds: former head of Chernivtsi OVA Zaparanyuk suspected of schemes to travel abroad

Two residents of Kakhovka crossed the Ukrainian border through the Porubne checkpoint towards Romania on January 30, 2023, as pedestrians and, according to information from reliable sources, have not yet returned. These individuals were likely entered into the Shlyakh information system based on unreliable data.

According to anonymous sources, these citizens were registered in the system as “volunteer drivers” on the instructions of Ruslan Zaparanyuk, head of the Chernivtsi Regional State Administration. It is known that Zaparanyuk previously held the position of head of the Chernivtsi Regional Department branch of JSC “State Savings Bank of Ukraine”, and he was appointed to his current position in July 2022.

The sources claim that employees of the Chernivtsi OVA have provided unreliable information about the status of these individuals. As noted, the archives of the State Central Office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine confirmed that they did not have driver’s licenses.

In connection with these statements, in early May, criminal proceedings were opened on the grounds of illegal smuggling of persons across the state border under Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Sources also indicate possible abuses related to the departure of Ukrainian citizens abroad during the war, when the branch authorities allegedly facilitated the illegal export of foreign currency.

These actions could be carried out by issuing fictitious certificates certifying the existence of foreign currency accounts, to withdraw funds further. According to information, the “commission” for such fraudulent services was approximately 3% of the specified amount.

It is also noted that, in March 2022, criminal proceedings were initiated for document forgery. However, according to sources, after Zaparanyuk was appointed head of the regional state administration, this proceeding was closed.

Informed persons express concern that similar cases may occur in other branches of JSC “State Savings Bank of Ukraine”, calling on law enforcement agencies to conduct a more detailed investigation.

The editorial office has contacted the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Chernivtsi region for additional information on this issue.