A city hall official was arrested in Odesa for accepting a bribe in exchange for granting immunity to a small retail kiosk

A city council official and his accomplice—the head of a civic organization—were detained in Odesa. They had demanded money in exchange for “immunity” from inspections and to keep a fast-food kiosk open. 

This was reported by the press office of the National Police in the Odesa region.

According to the investigation, the 50-year-old chief specialist of one of the departments of the Odesa City Council oversaw the operation of temporary structures and street vending facilities and had the authority to order their dismantling. The official decided to use his position for personal gain.

<picture></picture>Photo: Main Directorate of the National Police in the Odesa Region

He enlisted the help of his 58-year-old acquaintance—the head of a local trade-related civic organization—to carry out the scheme.

Law enforcement officials determined that the official contacted a representative of the company that owns a fast-food restaurant in the Khadzhibey district of Odesa. He informed her that the validity period of the permits and registration documents for the temporary structure and cantilevered gazebos had expired, and therefore the small architectural forms (MAF) could be dismantled.

Immediately afterward, the official offered to “resolve the issue” and referred the woman to his accomplice to discuss the terms.

<picture></picture>Photo: Main Directorate of the National Police in the Odesa Region

The intermediary stated that the businesswoman would have to pay 36,000 hryvnias to ensure the establishment could continue operating without interference. The amount was calculated at 1,000 hryvnias per square meter of the small architectural form.

In exchange for this money, the perpetrators promised not only to prevent the structure’s dismantling but also to guarantee a kind of “immunity”—no inspections by the relevant city council department for one year.

The men did not manage to carry out their criminal plan to completion. During a meeting near the fast-food restaurant, the intermediary received part of the agreed-upon sum—11,000 hryvnias. Immediately after the money was handed over, police detained both suspects.

During searches, authorities seized vehicles, documentation, rough notes, illegally obtained funds, and other cash—including foreign currency—the origin of which is currently under investigation. Investigators have filed a motion in court to seize the confiscated property.

<picture></picture>Photo: Main Directorate of the National Police in the Odesa Region

Based on the evidence gathered, both men were notified of their status as suspects under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—receipt of an unlawful benefit by a public official, committed by a group of persons acting in concert.

The court ordered pretrial detention as a preventive measure for the suspects, with the right to post bail: bail was set at 266,240 hryvnias for the younger man and 832,000 hryvnias for the older man.

Ірина Глухова