State Bureau of Investigation investigating whether deputy general director of Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant helped Russians seize it
VALENTYNA ROMANENKO — WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022, 16:34
PHOTO of the State Bureau of Investigation
The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating a Chornobyl official suspected of desertion and assisting the Russians to seize the nuclear power plant.
Source: The State Bureau of Investigation, UP source in law enforcement agencies
Details: It is reported that back in March 2022, the State Bureau of Investigation officers together with the Security Service of Ukraine(SBU) detained the Deputy Director General of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, who left his post under martial law and hid in Zakarpatska Oblast in the west of Ukraine.
He was informed of the suspicion of desertion and remanded in custody.
Law enforcement officers do not disclose the name of the suspect, but according to the source of the UP, the person in question is Valentyn Viter, the deputy director general of the Chornobyl NPP (in charge of physical protection).
Quote from the State Bureau of Investigation: "The serviceman abandoned his post and failed to provide physical protection to the facility, something which was directly part of his functional duties.
In addition, during the investigation, State Bureau of Investigation officers are investigating the official’s possible involvement in subversive activities against Ukraine. In particular, they must establish whether he assisted the Russian military in seizing the Chernobyl NPP in late February.
The State Bureau of Investigation officers, in cooperation with SBU officers, conducted searches in the administrative premises of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. A number of searches were also conducted at the defendant’s place of residence.
Documents and digital media were seized during the investigation. Also, investigators interrogated witnesses. A forensic psychological examination and interrogations of Chornobyl NPP officials are planned.
Based on the results of the investigation, the issue of whether or not an official was informed that there was a suspicion of treason will be resolved."
Additional information: Procedural guidance is provided by the Specialised Prosecutor's Office in the Military and Defence Sphere of the Western Region.
