Executive Director of CEO Club Ukraine Dmytro Karchuk has been arrested at the Budomierz border crossing in Poland under a European Arrest Warrant issued by Germany. German authorities suspect the Ukrainian businessman of stealing a shipment of electric bicycles valued at nearly €127,000.
According to investigators, in September 2024, Karchuk allegedly arrived at a warehouse in Germany driving a heavy goods truck, presented forged transport documents, and made off with 171 e-bikes that were never delivered to their destination.
Following his arrest on July 28, the businessman was placed in a remand prison in Przemyśl, Poland. Authorities are currently processing the request for his extradition to Germany.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine confirmed the detention of the Ukrainian citizen. The Consulate General of Ukraine in Lublin has urgently submitted a formal request to local authorities to secure consular access to Karchuk in custody.
Meanwhile, founder and president of CEO Club Ukraine, Serhiy Haydaychuk, argued that his colleague is a victim of identity theft. He suggested that scammers likely compromised Karchuk’s personal data to steal and resell the cargo.
«At the time the alleged crime was committed, Dmytro was physically in Ukraine. Furthermore, he is accused of driving the delivery truck himself, even though he does not hold a commercial driver’s license of the required category,» Haydaychuk stated.
Despite claims of innocence, several unanswered questions remain. Observers noted that shortly after the alleged theft—on October 3, 2024—Karchuk purchased a brand-new 2024 Porsche Macan.
Questions also surround the legal grounds under which Karchuk was able to leave Ukraine during martial law.
Additionally, attention has focused on his father, Mykola Karchuk. According to law enforcement, the elder Karchuk previously worked for the «MGB» of the self-proclaimed «DPR» and is currently under National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) sanctions valid through 2034. He is also subject to an investigation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) under Article 258-3 of the Criminal Code for involvement in a terrorist organization.