The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) provided an explanation on March 15 regarding the actions taken against an employee of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), citing the need for additional verification of the individual.
According to the SBU, the employee was stopped at a checkpoint while entering the city of Sumy, where he exhibited several characteristics that warranted further scrutiny. The man, originally from temporarily occupied territories, failed to identify his workplace and only presented a page from the Diia app as proof of identity. A review of his contacts revealed several Russian phone numbers. Following established protocols for such situations, SBU agents initiated a thorough check on the individual, whose presence in a frontline region raised suspicions.
The SBU emphasized that its operations are conducted strictly within the framework of current legislation and adhere to all established procedures aimed at ensuring the safety of Ukrainian citizens and military personnel.
Earlier on the same day, NABU claimed that the SBU had “unjustifiably” detained one of its employees. NABU stated that the individual was in Sumy performing official duties as part of a sanctioned investigation.
The bureau further noted that one of the reasons cited for the detention was the fact that the employee’s parents reside in an occupied area. They also highlighted that prior to his appointment at NABU, he had undergone all necessary background checks.
The SBU has clarified its actions regarding the detention of a NABU employee, asserting the need for further verification due to the individual's background and contacts. NABU, however, argues that the detention was unwarranted, emphasizing the employee's official duties during the incident.