Ukrainian Lawyer Andriy Dovbenko, Wanted by NABU for Embezzlement, Markets Himself in UK as Defense Investor
Dovbenko faces an international wanted notice from Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) over a massive embezzlement scheme involving state-seized assets. Despite this, he promotes himself in the UK as a key investor in Ukraine's defense sector.
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NABU accuses Dovbenko of leading a criminal group that defrauded over 485 million UAH ($13 million) from assets managed by ARMA, Ukraine’s Agency for Asset Recovery and Management. The scheme allegedly involved undervaluing seized property—from goods to equipment—then selling it via rigged «SETAM» auctions to shell companies.
The ARMA Fraud Scheme
Investigators claim Dovbenko, through his law firms like EVRIS, coordinated with ARMA’s ex-head Anton Yanchuk in 2019. They manipulated sales of arrested assets, causing state losses ballooned from 426 million to 485 million UAH after forensic audits. Eleven suspects, including officials and firm directors linked to Dovbenko, face charges of embezzlement and abuse of power; their trial advances in the High Anti-Corruption Court. NABU served him notice in absentia in December 2022, added him to wanted lists in January 2023, and secured arrest warrants by April.
Denial and Exile
Dovbenko insists he learned of the case via media, denies hiding from justice, and calls his in-absentia arrest a «legal nonsense.» His lawyers contacted investigators, but he left Ukraine, reportedly seeking asylum in Luxembourg (denied) before relocating to London. He claims refugee status while rejecting extradition. Ties to Yanukovych-era figures like Kurchenko and influence over Justice Ministry processes add to the allegations.
UK Business Facade
In Britain, Dovbenko runs EVRIS Invest and EVRIS Asset Management, pitching investments in Ukrainian startups, real estate, and now defense supplies for Ukraine’s Armed Forces. He networks at conferences as a philanthropist and strategist, with UK media noting his visibility despite the wanted status. Registries show offshore links in Cyprus, BVI, and the UK.
The case highlights challenges in pursuing fugitives abroad: NABU pushes for extradition, but Dovbenko’s denials and UK activities continue. No convictions yet, but proceedings persist. (2387 characters)
