Record-breaking year for criminal cases against businesses in Ukraine
Source: Opendatabot
In an unprecedented surge, 2023 saw a record 43,138 criminal cases opened against businesses in Ukraine, the highest number since 2012.
According to analytical firm Opendatabot, 5,015 private Ukrainian companies were involved in criminal proceedings in 2023, with at least six companies facing money laundering charges and four more involved in collaboration activities.
Overall, last year recorded a shocking 43,000 references to domestic businesses in a criminal context. At least 2,839 companies are dealing with criminal investigations this year.
One company faces charges of treason, three are accused of collaboration with the enemy, and ten more are implicated in money laundering schemes. Experts point out that 80% of criminal cases against businesses result in no convictions or even fail to reach the courts.
“Businesses listed in the court registry as involved in criminal cases face ongoing issues with financial monitoring and compliance. Even if a case is closed, records in the court registry remain permanently, making it impossible to remove or dismiss them. Currently, businesses have no means to protect their reputations in these situations,” said Opendatabot founder Oleksiy Ivankin.
It is worth noting that directive 65 by the National Bank of Ukraine requires the inspection of companies that have been “involved in criminal cases,” which has become a headache for such businesses as they “encounter difficulties in financial operations.”
Amendments to Ukraine’s enforcement proceedings legislation, initiated by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, have entered into force. Among other measures, the reform provides for the automated lifting of attachments on bank accounts immediately after debts in enforcement proceedings have been fully settled. The main practical benefit for citizens is the complete elimination of the need to contact an enforcement officer in person and wait for paper decisions once the debt has been paid.
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