REUTERS
Ukraine's state-owned oil pipeline operator Ukrtransnafta suspects Interior Ministry employees of crude oil theft and calls on law enforcement agencies to take all necessary measures to bring the perpetrators to justice.
"At 21:01, the dispatch service of Druzhba main oil pipeline branch recorded a drop in the pressure in the 122 km - 147 km section of main oil pipeline Mozyr – Brody (line II)," a statement reads.
The company noted that the case was immediately reported to the security division of the branch.
It is also reported that due to measures taken by the special security unit of Chyzhivka pumping station, a white DAF truck was detained on the road near the village of Velen, Korosten district, Zhytomyr region, with a 40cm trailer-tanker. One of the tanker sections was partially filled with oil. A driver of the vehicle was also detained.
In addition, it is reported that two individuals in Opel Frontera vehicle about 300m away from the tanker were also detected and detained. One of the persons is said to be an employee of special police, while the second person is an investigator from Korosten (Zhytomyr region) police office. Another car managed to escape from the scene, according to the report.
In the course of further investigation in the area near Velen village of Korosten district Ukrtransnafta security staff discovered illegal taps in the pipeline in the 126 km section of the main oil pipeline Mozyr – Brody (line II).
The scene was inspected by the investigative team of Korosten police and the SBU officers.
It is noted that the information about the crime was entered into the unified state register of pre-trial investigations on 01.09.2015, No. 12015060060001131, under Part 1 of Article 292 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The detained persons and motor vehicles were handed over to law enforcement officers. But, the district police officers are said to be under a lot of pressure from various influential individuals who are deliberately trying to hamper the investigation of the criminal proceedings and prevent the detainees from being held accountable. Moreover, the demands are voiced to return the confiscated vehicles and equipment used for illegal tapping into the pipeline.
It is noted that Ukrtransnafta strongly urges the relevant investigative authorities to take all necessary measures to prevent any delay or suspension of the mentioned investigation, and to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
Ukrtransnafta said it would constantly supervise the investigation, and would make its best efforts, including the mechanisms of social and political control envisaged by the applicable legislation, to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent similar incidents in the future.