Commander of military unit in Odesa region detained for extortion

Police officers and the State Bureau of Investigation have detained the commander of the line and cable department of a military unit in Odesa region on suspicion of extortion and receiving bribes from subordinates.

This was reported by the press service of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Odesa region.

The commander demanded 2 thousand US dollars from a subordinate soldier. For this amount, he guaranteed the soldier exemption from service and avoidance of deployment to the combat zone. The latter reported the commander's illegal actions to law enforcement agencies, and as soon as the commander received the agreed amount, law enforcement officers detained him in a procedural manner. The funds were seized as material evidence.

PHOTO: Police in Odesa region

Currently, the commander is charged with obtaining an illegal benefit combined with extortion. If his guilt is proven, the military officer faces imprisonment for a term of five to ten years with disqualification to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years, with confiscation of property.

The court imposed a pre-trial restraint on the suspect in the form of detention with the right to be released on bail.

Earlier, a nurse was arrested in Odesa for demanding a bribe to influence TEC and HQC officials. The court ruled that the woman could be released if she posted bail of almost UAH 400,000. The investigation established several facts of receiving illegal benefits. In August, the woman received 25 thousand hryvnias from one of the persons liable for military service for influencing the change of diagnosis in her husband's ID card and deregistration. Later, she demanded USD 6 thousand in a public catering establishment, and on August 26 received this amount from her husband, who appealed to law enforcement. The money was seized when the offender was detained.

Кирило Бойко