The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has reported that in August it received a ruling from a judge of the High Anti-Corruption Court, which obliged the bureau to enter information into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations regarding possible extortion of funds in particularly large amounts. The case involves former goalkeeper and coach of FC Dynamo Kyiv, Oleksandr Shovkovskyi.
In compliance with the court's decision, NABU entered the relevant information. However, since the investigation of this criminal offense does not fall under NABU's jurisdiction, the case was referred to the police. "We will not comment on the substance of the case; it is not our story," said a NABU source to BBC.
Oleksandr Shovkovskyi denies the allegations of extortion and using connections in law enforcement. According to the former footballer, the matter concerns a property conflict with citizen Anatolii Pisarenko, which is related to a premises in the Solomianskyi district of Kyiv, where Shovkovskyi's shooting range and store named TacticA operated.
The company "Tactica" claims that there was a long-term lease agreement with Pisarenko. When the company invested money in renovations (the reported amount is $250,000), "the building was alienated," and "Tactica" could no longer use it. Since the issue of compensation for the renovation expenses was not resolved, "Tactica" contacted the police. NABU's statement indicates that the other party in the conflict also reached out to law enforcement.