Bribe in Mykolaiv: ex-rector of university released on bail of UAH 1 million

The former rector of one of Mykolaiv's universities, who was detained while receiving a bribe from a student, was released on bail of one million hryvnias. The investigation has been going on for more than a month, and he is accused of extortion and receiving undue advantage.

This was reported by the Suspilne media outlet.

According to Valeriia Vlasova, a spokeswoman for the Mykolaiv Regional Prosecutor's Office, the former rector was charged under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - obtaining an undue advantage by extortion.

According to the investigation, he extorted 36 thousand hryvnias from a student for issuing a university diploma. He was detained while handing over the money.

After the detention, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine conducted an audit of Mykolaiv Polytechnic University. As a result, on November 5, the license of the educational institution to conduct educational activities was revoked, which was confirmed by the order of the Ministry of Education and Science No. 646-l. Nevertheless, the interim rector, Yevheniia Polyakova, stated that the university continues to operate and educate students.

As of November 21, 2024, a pre-trial investigation is ongoing in cooperation with the Prosecutor's Office and the National Police.

At the end of October, an educator from Mykolaiv was also taken into custody for facilitating admission to the college. In September 2024, the suspect, who was a member of the college's admission committee, promised a local resident to help him enter the educational institution for a monetary reward. This would give the man the right to a deferment from mobilization. She now faces up to four years in prison.

A resident of Kherson offered to help pass exams at the service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for a bribe. The accused was looking for people to whom he promised to assist in passing the practical exam for a certain amount of money, assuring them that it would be impossible without his help.

In September, police detained the deputy head of the Odesa Maritime College while receiving a bribe from a student. In exchange for $500, the official guaranteed to influence the positive decision of the head of the department to which the student was planning to enter and the personnel department. This gave him the opportunity to avoid being drafted for military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Анна Бальчінос