Ukrainian CB deputy head detained on suspicion of $170mln theft

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Ukrainian prosecutor's office has detained a deputy head of the central bank on suspicion of involvement in the theft of more than $170 million in state funds, Reuters reported.

Borys Prykhodko was appointed to his position during the presidency of Viktor Yanukovich, whose rule was marred by accusations of widespread corruption. He is the most senior official detained since Yanukovich's overthrow in February.

"Prykhodko has been remanded in custody", First Deputy Prosecutor General Mykola Herasimyuk told a news conference.

Herasimyuk said Prykhodko was suspected of taking part in a scheme with several others under which about 2 billion hryvnia ($172 million) was taken from the state agriculture fund, created to help control domestic prices.

Ukraine's new, pro-Western leaders have made allegations pointing to theft on a vast scale during Yanukovich’s rule.

Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk said in February that loans worth $37 billion had gone missing from state coffers and $70 billion had been sent out of the country during his rule. Yanukovich has dismissed the allegations.