Activist Nazariy Husakov left Ukraine: Zelenskyy announced an investigation into possible fraud

Activist Nazariy Husakov left Ukraine: Zelenskyy announced an investigation into possible fraud

Lviv activist Nazariy Husakov, who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy, left Ukrainian territory on June 13.

His whereabouts is currently being determined, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Sunday, June 22, citing information from Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.

Zelenskyy called the situation surrounding the fundraising for Husakov, as well as possible fraud cases, "scandalous" and "extremely unpleasant." An investigation is being conducted into all available information, including the use of at least four financial institutions and numerous digital services. The circle of people who may have been affected by possible illegal actions is being identified.

The president emphasized the importance of restoring justice and stressed the need to avoid discrediting volunteering in general. He also noted that there must be a legal response in cases of fraud.

Nazariy Husakov is a well-known activist in Ukraine with a disability, suffering from a rare genetic disease — type 2 spinal muscular atrophy, which leads to gradual muscle weakness.

The scandal around him arose on June 17, when volunteers began demanding reports for the collected funds and noticed the repeated use of the same drug photograph. It also turned out that Husakov was placing bets on online platforms, including Russian ones.

The activist himself denies involvement in gambling, explaining that he previously worked at a betting company. He admitted that he did not separate his own money from donations he received through crypto-wallets, some of which came from poker players from Latvia.

Husakov also explained the presence of large sums in his accounts by stating that he received a percentage for transfers from third parties, without suspecting the possible illegal origin of the funds.

The investigation is ongoing, and the president emphasizes the need to assess the situation based on the facts.