NABU detains Volodymyr Tsenov, First Deputy Head of the National Police's Strategic Investigations Department

Detention of a National Police unit head

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has detained Volodymyr Tsenov, who held the position of First Deputy Head of the Strategic Investigations Department of the National Police. According to investigators, the suspect is known by the pseudonym "Price" in the materials of the "Carthage" criminal proceedings.

Mechanism of covering the criminal network

Investigators established that Tsenov provided protection for a network of fraudulent call centres. The standard monthly payment he allegedly received from one such office was $7,000. With Tsenov's assistance, members of the criminal organisation coordinated the operations of approximately 52 call centres. At least 2,700 people were employed in these offices, carrying out fraudulent activities against Ukrainian citizens daily.

Content of intercepted conversations

In new audio recordings, Andriy Osipov, the founder of the criminal organisation known as "Criminal", informs "Price" about planned searches at one of the facilities. He asks for help to ensure that law enforcement officers do not seize property.

«Вони нам зараз весь бізнес зламають, невже не можна нормально вирішити» ("They are going to ruin our entire business right now, can't we just resolve this properly?"), Osipov writes.

«Дав команду. Зараз знімуть» ("I gave the order. They will remove it now"), Tsenov replies.

Action algorithm after searches

The recording also shows "Price" explaining in detail to the organisers what actions need to be taken after searches and property seizures are conducted. He advises applying to law enforcement agencies to return the seized items, receiving a refusal, and then filing a petition with the court.

«Поки повернення за такою-то адресою. Алгоритм: звернення до них із проханням повернути. Від них відмова. Ваше звернення до суду. Рішення суду. Повернення» ("For now, the return at such-and-such address. Algorithm: application to them requesting return. Refusal from them. Your application to the court. Court decision. Return"), Tsenov explains.

In response to a clarifying question about which specific court to approach, he answers: «Печерський» ("Pecherskyi").

The detention took place against the backdrop of the publication of new evidentiary materials within the "Carthage" case.