Former Acting Culture Minister Calls Suspicion of Illegal Border Crossing Unfounded
Former acting culture minister of Ukraine Rostyslav Karandieiev considers the suspicion of facilitating illegal border crossing unfounded and pledges full cooperation with the investigation.
Rostyslav Karandieiev, who served as acting minister of culture of Ukraine from July 2023 to September 2024, was served a notice of suspicion on June 19. He regards the accusation as unfounded and stated his readiness to fully cooperate with the investigation to clarify all circumstances. He emphasized that he always acted within the law and with integrity.
The case involves a criminal scheme uncovered by the National Police in April. Under the scheme, men of mobilization age were illegally transported across the border posing as musicians traveling for charity performances abroad. Each participant paid up to $13,000 for the service. According to investigators, 28 men used the scheme, and 16 more planned to do so.
To facilitate the scheme, individual entrepreneurs were registered and cryptocurrency wallets were used. Karandieiev allegedly signed letters supporting the artists' travel, but he claimed that without special expertise, ministry employees could not identify fraudulent requests. On June 19, charges were brought against five individuals, including the former official and a businesswoman. They are accused of illegal border crossing of persons as part of an organized group (Article 332, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
