Ukrainian agribusinessman Tarasov has been placed on an international wanted list, according to media reports.

The owner of I&U Group, Serhiy Tarasov, has been placed on an international wanted list on suspicion of misappropriating military land. He is currently hiding abroad and has hired lobbyists in the USA to defend his reputation.

According to writes UNN, referring to the response from the Main Investigative Department of the National Police of Ukraine.

Tarasov is suspected of organizing a scheme to transfer land from state ownership through the Main Department of the State Geocadastre in the Kirovohrad region. According to the National Police, in addition to Serhiy Dmytrovych Tarasov, eight other individuals have also been implicated. Among them are officials from his companies, one of the leaders of the State Geocadastre of Kirovohrad region, private notaries, and intermediaries.

They are charged with offenses under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (misappropriation of property or acquisition through abuse of office) and Part 3 of Article 209 (legalization, money laundering of property obtained through criminal means).

The investigation has been completed, and the defense is now reviewing the case materials, after which it will be submitted to court. However, the main suspect remains outside the process for now.

“Due to the fact that the whereabouts of the suspect Tarasov S.D. have not been established, he has been placed on an international wanted list, and the pre-trial investigation materials concerning him have been separated into a separate criminal proceeding. Currently, necessary investigative (search) actions and other measures are being taken to establish the whereabouts of the suspect Tarasov S.D. and to make decisions in accordance with the criminal procedural legislation of Ukraine,” the National Police reported.

At present, the Pechersk District Court of Kyiv is considering the issue of Tarasov's arrest, which will allow him to be placed on an international wanted list through Interpol.

Reminder: Tarasov's group is suspected of misappropriating approximately 12,000 hectares of state land worth over 400 million UAH. The individuals involved forged documents, including ATO participant certificates, powers of attorney, and other papers, and together with notaries, transferred the plots to front persons, and later – to Tarasov himself.