Head of a college department exposed for extortion in Odesa

A college employee was exposed in Odesa for demanding 15 thousand hryvnias to "close" a student's academic debts and allow her to attend the session. The woman was detained while receiving the money and now faces up to 10 years in prison.

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

Law enforcement officers have exposed and detained an employee of one of Odesa's vocational colleges who is suspected of extorting and receiving a bribe from a student. According to the investigation, the 42-year-old woman promised to "resolve the issue" of academic debt and allow the student to attend the session in exchange for a monetary reward, while threatening to expel her if she refused to pay.

As law enforcement officers found out, the woman announced the amount of the "service" - 15 thousand hryvnias - in a conversation with the student's representative, effectively setting a condition: either money or problems with her studies.

After contacting the police, the suspect's actions were brought under control. She was detained immediately after receiving the agreed amount. The money was seized and attached to the case file as material evidence.

Based on the evidence collected, investigators notified the woman that she was suspected of taking a bribe by an official, combined with extortion. According to the press service, this crime is punishable by up to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The court imposed on the suspect a pre-trial restraint in the form of detention with the possibility of bail in the amount of UAH 66,560. According to the available information, the woman exercised her right to bail. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

Also in February, a corruption scheme with forged medical certificates was exposed in Odesa. The director of a private medical clinic was suspected. She promised a patient to arrange inpatient treatment at City Hospital No. 1 for two weeks and provide a fake medical history, without the man even needing to be in the hospital. For this, she demanded 6 thousand US dollars.

Анна Бальчінос