Former National Bank of Ukraine Governor Shevchenko views his designation as wanted person as proof of politicized investigation

MOSCOW. Oct 26 (Interfax) - Former Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine Kirill Shevchenko has described his designation as a wanted person as proof of a biased, politicized investigation.

"The fact that I have been put on the wanted list is yet another confirmation of a biased, politicized investigation," the Ukrainian media quoted Shevchenko as saying on social media.

Shevchenko said he was registered with a consulate in an EU country and formally notified the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) about his whereabouts. He also formally applied to the embassy for the provision of premises from where a videoconference could be arranged for his questioning by investigators.

"I am sure that I am right. I am asking the NABU to ensure the openness, transparency and impartiality of the process. What's called fair play," he said.

As reported earlier, the NABU has put on the wanted list three officials from Ukrgazbank on counts of embezzling over UAH 200 million. Besides Shevchenko, former governor of the National Bank of Ukraine and head of the Ukrgazbank executive board, Ukrgazbank executive board deputy head Denis Chernyshev and deputy director of the VIP corporate client department Yelena Khmelenko are now wanted.

They were duly notified in early October in a special procedure, because their whereabouts were unknown. As the suspects ignored summons for questioning they were put on the wanted list.