Authorities suspect officials bought software at an inflated price from two companies allegedly under their control
Two senior cyber defense officials were removed on Monday, a Ukrainian government official said, as prosecutors announced an investigation into alleged embezzlement at the government’s cyber security agency.
Yurii Shchyhol, head of the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP), and his deputy, Viktor Zhora, have been dismissed by the government, senior cabinet official Taras Melnychuk wrote on Telegram.
Melnichuk, the cabinet’s representative in parliament, did not give reasons for the dismissal.
The SSSCIP is responsible for the security of government communications and the defense of the state from cyber attacks.
News of the two officials’ ouster came shortly before anti-corruption prosecutors announced they were investigating the head and deputy head of the SSSCIP for their roles in a six-person conspiracy case to embezzle UAH 62 million ($1.72 million) between 2020 and 2022.
Authorities suspect that the officials bought software at an inflated priceor by two companies alleged to be under their control in a sale that was closed to other bidders, said the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine.
Prosecutors have not named any officials. In a statement on Telegram, SSSCIP said it was cooperating with investigators and that all supplies had been made legally.
Source :Skai
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