Search and detention of Nazariy Husakov’s confidant: police investigate possible fraud
In Lviv, during large-scale investigative actions with the participation of law enforcement officers, a man who acted as a confidant of the well-known Ukrainian activist and philanthropist Nazariy Husakov was detained. The incident occurred as part of an investigation into a case of alleged fraud in raising funds to support Nazariy, a patient with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which caused a sharp resonance in society. According to "Suspilny" with reference to sources in law enforcement agencies, during the searches, investigators established that the attacker gained access to financial transfers through the use of the confidant's card. Nazariy himself, who was diagnosed with a genetic disease that eliminates the ability to move independently, regularly receives life-saving injections of expensive drugs. Although the Lviv City Council formally provides him with medical treatment, Nazariy himself denies that this is sufficient to support his life. On that day, the man, who was detained by law enforcement officers on the spot, resisted law enforcement officers and tried to escape in a car, which became the reason for his detention under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. During his escape attempt, he ran over an employee of the Strategic Investigations Department of the National Police, injuring him. The car was seized and sent to the detention center, and the detained man was taken to the department. According to reports, the sanction of the article provides for a penalty of imprisonment for a term of up to five years. This detention occurred against the backdrop of a growing wave of public outrage caused by the fact that Nazariy Gusakov did not publicly provide reports on the use of collected charitable funds. Concerned social media users have been demanding transparency and openness in financial transactions, but their requests have gone unanswered. This has prompted the emergence of numerous exposés that allege abuses and fraudulent schemes. In the context of this case, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that trust in charity must remain intact, and any abuses by individuals who use charitable activities for selfish purposes must be properly investigated and exposed. He stressed the importance of ensuring openness and transparency in the work of charitable organizations and personal donations. The National Police has launched a pre-trial investigation under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. In particular, proceedings have been opened under Article 190 (large-scale fraud) and Article 209 (legalization or laundering of proceeds from crime). Currently, the circle of victims is being established, the location of Gusakov himself and persons who could have been accomplices or accomplices in the abuses is being reported. Law enforcement officers are working to establish all the circumstances of the case in order to provide a legal assessment of all actions that have signs of crimes. The investigation is ongoing, and society is eagerly awaiting the results of the investigation, because trust in charitable initiatives is one of the key foundations of civic responsibility and support for those who really need help.