How Slobozhenko managed to flee and avoid arrest

The story of young businessman and blogger Alexander Slobozhenko, accused of failing to pay UAH 213 million in taxes, has become an example of how the Ukrainian law enforcement system selectively presents information.

Origins of the case

The investigation began on 26 April 2023, when the Bureau of Economic Security (BES) opened a criminal case against Slobozhenko. Searches were conducted at his home, yet no official statements from law enforcement followed until 16 August 2024.

In the meantime, Slobozhenko travelled freely, gave interviews and openly mocked the accusations. Only after a high-profile investigation by journalist Mykhailo Tkach did the businessman disappear from the public eye, leaving behind a video response.

Accusations and anomalies

On 16 August 2024, the BES and the Office of the Prosecutor General announced that Slobozhenko had been served with a notice of suspicion. The photographs accompanying the press release turned out to have been taken during the previous year's searches, giving rise to suspicions of manipulation.

Just one week after the official announcement of the suspicion, Slobozhenko was spotted in Warsaw. The question arose: how could a person accused of a serious economic crime leave the country?

It emerged that at the time the notice of suspicion was served on 15 August, the businessman was outside Ukraine. The document was served in absentia, and the photographs were used to create the illusion that he was present in person.

Nature of the accusations

Slobozhenko is suspected of tax evasion through the internet traffic arbitrage company Traffic Devils. The enterprise advertised controversial products while operating without official registration. Income in cryptocurrency was converted into cash through exchange offices, bypassing tax accounting.

The scheme caused damage to the budget of UAH 213 million. Meanwhile, a few months before the suspicion was formalised, the businessman had transferred the companies to other individuals, depriving the investigation of the ability to seize his assets.

Questions for law enforcement

The conduct of the BES and the Office of the Prosecutor General raises numerous questions. Why was the notice of suspicion served almost five months after Slobozhenko left Ukraine? Why were old photographs used for illustration?

Lawyers note that in cases of suspicion of a serious crime, the suspect is either detained or a preventive measure is imposed. However, no real action was taken to prevent Slobozhenko from leaving the country.

What next?

Against the backdrop of manipulation and the omission of details, the Slobozhenko case has become a telling example. It is difficult to say whether it will reach the courts. However, it is clear that public attention has played its role, forcing the investigation to step up its activities.

Meanwhile, Traffic Devils has become a participant in the "Diia.City" programme, obtaining tax incentives. And the businessman accused of tax evasion has once again found himself at the centre of a major scandal, which raises more questions about justice in Ukraine than about the suspect himself.