Ukrainian businessman receives suspended sentence in Baku trial

The Baku Court for Grave Crimes has concluded the high-profile trial of Ukrainian millionaire Oleg Krapivin, known in criminal circles as “Oleg Bakinsky,” and his associate, former Ukrainian defence official Konstantin Kucher.

The court session, presided over by Judge Elnur Nuriyev, ended with Kucher delivering a final statement in which he pleaded for an acquittal. Following deliberations, the judicial panel acquitted Kucher of fraud but found him guilty of hooliganism. He was sentenced to two years and six months in prison, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

Konstantin Kucher was released from the courtroom.

Krapivin was also handed a two-year-and-six-month sentence on hooliganism charges. However, the court ruled that his sentence would be conditional, with a six-month probation period. He will not serve time in prison.

The case stems from Krapivin’s arrest in Baku last year over an altercation with a Russian citizen. He was initially charged under Article 221.3 of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, which pertains to hooliganism involving weapons or items used as weapons and resulting in violence or property damage. He was later also charged under Article 178.4 for fraud causing particularly large-scale damage.

Kucher, who served as an aviation adviser to Ukraine’s Minister of Defence Industry in 2010–2011, was implicated in the same case.

The recognized victims include Russian firm JSC "Aviazapchast," Kazakhstan-based LLC "Industrial Supplies Kazakhstan," and individuals connected to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), including FSB officer Valery Zakharenkov and the owner of "Aviazapchast."

By Sabina Mammadli