28 January 2025
(Photo: National Police in Odesa region)
A police officer has detained a former employee of a state-owned enterprise in Odesa region who is suspected of setting up a scheme to systematically extort bribes from small businesses for the use of non-residential premises.
This was reported by the press service of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Odesa region.
The premises were on the balance sheet of the institution he managed, and the offender did not want to enter into formal contracts with entrepreneurs who asked about the possible lease of premises, but instead forced them to pay kickbacks, claiming that he had the necessary corruption ties and influence on senior management, which, in case of failure, would not prevent the illegal use of state property and would not inform law enforcement agencies. The offender made it clear to those who disagreed with the proposed terms that no premises would be leased to them.
The law enforcement documented two such transactions: the offender leased business premises to two entrepreneurs, demanding that they pay him monthly fees of UAH 12 thousand and UAH 5 thousand.
The offender was detained while receiving part of the agreed amount. The police searched the offender's residence and workplace, seized material evidence, including money and documentation on the premises that were illegally used.
Based on the evidence collected, the former official was served a notice of suspicion of obtaining an unlawful benefit to influence the decision-making of persons authorized to perform public functions, combined with extortion of such benefit. According to the sanction of Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the offender faces imprisonment for up to eight years with confiscation of property.
The court imposed on the suspect custody as a measure of restraint with the right to be released on bail in the amount of one million hryvnias. The full range of persons involved in the corruption scheme is being identified.
Кирило Бойко