Police in Bratislava have detained Andriy Pavelko, former president of the Football Federation of Ukraine (now UAF), who was hiding abroad and wanted internationally on suspicion of embezzling nearly 295 million UAH. Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko confirmed the arrest of the former sports official, adding that the Prosecutor General’s Office has officially initiated extradition proceedings to bring him back to Ukraine.
According to investigators, Pavelko orchestrated a large-scale scheme to siphon funds from the Ukrainian Football Association using controlled commercial entities. To cover up the illicit financial transfers, the perpetrators allegedly signed fictitious contracts for the supply of luxury teas, coffee, seafood, and electrical equipment.
Following the initial corruption charges, the former football head fled Ukraine to evade law enforcement, prompting an international arrest warrant.
Pavelko’s detention was achieved through joint efforts between Ukrainian law enforcement and Slovak Republic authorities under international legal cooperation mechanisms.
«The Prosecutor General’s Office has sent a formal notice to Slovak colleagues declaring its intent to request Pavelko’s extradition to Ukraine and apply temporary custody,» stated officials from the Prosecutor General’s Office.
Slovak authorities are currently processing the Ukrainian prosecutors’ request. If the extradition is approved, Pavelko will face trial in a Ukrainian court.
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