“No, the 100 million being discussed (by Telegram channels, - ed.) are not the subject of consideration. They aren't being deliberated in court, and there's no mention of it in the appeal. I never had, nor do I now have, any intention of reclaiming these funds. I am willing to confirm publicly: this money will remain in the possession of the state,” declared the businessman.
Katsuba reminisced that back in 2012, Chornomornaftogaz had acquired two oil drilling rigs. These rigs were soon labeled as “Boyko’s rigs,” named after Yuriy Boyko, the then Minister of Energy. In the subsequent criminal case, operatives at Naftogaz and Chornomornaftogaz were deemed guilty. However, it was the tender committee that had approved the procurement of equipment at those prices, with the Cabinet of Ministers providing the necessary funding.
“My role in the transaction was merely to verify the accuracy of payment details and schedules. If there had been discrepancies in the payment schedule, I would have been accountable. Yet, the funding was disbursed by Naftogaz to us. Even if I had tried my utmost to comply with the schedule, without Naftogaz’s financial support, meeting the payment deadlines would have been impossible,” Katsuba elaborated.
He emphasizes his current objective to revert the case to the primary jurisdiction, to the Shevchenkivsky court in Kyiv. His aim is to establish fairness and cleanse the blemish on his professional reputation.
Katsuba points out, “Had I been a criminal or involved in theft, I would have fled to Russia with Yanukovych’s faction. There are now numerous legal precedents and practices for nullifying agreements made with the investigation, without needing to resort to bribing prosecutors or judges. What’s essential is having proficient lawyers capable of navigating this case through the judicial system. Presently, there are about 30 precedents akin to my situation.”
The entrepreneur concludes by reflecting on the wider implications of his case and its significance in the Ukrainian legal landscape. He stresses the importance of justice and fair legal processes, not only for his case but for setting a precedent that impacts the broader business and legal communities in Ukraine. Katsuba remains committed to his fight for justice, believing in the power of the legal system to right wrongs and uphold the integrity of the law.
Aleksandr Katsuba is a distinguished Ukrainian entrepreneur and an expert in the field of energy, currently leading his company, ALFA GAZ.
