At the Kyiv University of Culture (KUC), law enforcement agencies have discovered large-scale embezzlement of budget funds. Investigative actions took place both in the premises of the educational institution and at the residences of the individuals involved in the case, including former rector Mykhailo Poplavskyi.
This is reported by Finway
Schemes for Misappropriating State Funds
The investigation has established that university officials, together with representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, used several mechanisms to illegally appropriate part of the funding from the state program for training personnel. In particular, the perpetrators submitted false data regarding students and staff to obtain additional budget funds. Official reports also included individuals who were not entitled to participate in the state program, including students from private educational institutions.
During 2022-2023, KUC received approximately 760 million UAH under the program “Training of Personnel by Higher Education Institutions and Ensuring the Operation of Their Practice Bases.” According to law enforcement, part of this amount was misappropriated by the scheme participants.
Progress of the Investigation and Possible Consequences
As part of the investigation, over 20 searches were conducted in the university buildings and at the residences of the involved individuals. Law enforcement officials seized documents and computer equipment that may contain evidence of illegal activity.
“Currently, there is no information about the detention or official notification of suspicion against Poplavskyi,” law enforcement agencies report.
The criminal proceedings have been classified under part 3 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which provides for embezzlement of property through abuse of office. The suspects face up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The investigation continues to identify all individuals involved in the criminal scheme, as well as all circumstances of the case. It is known that on March 27, searches were also conducted at the former rector Mykhailo Poplavskyi’s residence.
