Two suspects in illegal drug sales case flee abroad

Two suspects in the case of illegal sales of Russian medicines in Ukrainian pharmacies have left Ukraine. Elvin and Ashghin Bagirov, owners of the "ElFarm" pharmacy chain, fled the country after the prosecution applied to the court to detain them. 

According to Ukrinform, this happened in late February 2025. Law enforcement sources said the court did not consider the prosecutors' motion due to the suspects' absence, as their lawyers claimed their clients were ill.

Exposure of illegal activities

In August 2024, journalists from the "Schemes" programme exposed a pharmacy chain run by the Bagirov brothers. They were illegally selling Russian medicines in Ukraine. The investigation revealed that more than 20 types of Russian drugs, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, and nootropics, were being smuggled through Moldova. The medications were delivered to Ukraine by scheduled buses, after which the suspects personally collected them and attempted to evade customs control.

Illegal import and significant losses

According to police data, the organisers of the scheme paid Russian suppliers more than 1.5 million hryvnias for the supplied medicines. This confirms the scale of the illegal activity, which, according to law enforcement, could have posed a serious threat to the health of Ukrainian citizens.

Legal consequences and sanctions

The two pharmacy owners and two pharmacists were charged under Part 3 of Article 28 and Part 4 of Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – for conducting business activities in collaboration with the aggressor state, committed as part of an organised group.

 The suspects face up to five years in prison with confiscation of property. The State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drug Control also revoked the operating licences of the pharmacy chain.