In Odessa, a college official demanded $1,000 for admission

Prosecutors from the Khadzhibey District Prosecutor’s Office have notified an official at one of Odessa’s vocational colleges—who is responsible for student affairs—that he is under suspicion. He is suspected of extorting and receiving an unlawful benefit in exchange for influencing the admissions committee’s decision regarding an applicant’s enrollment.

According to the Odessa Regional Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation revealed that in June 2026, the educator learned of the applicant’s intention to enroll in the college and decided to exploit this for his own benefit.

During a meeting near the educational institution, he told the applicant that for $1,000, he could influence the members of the admissions committee and facilitate the applicant’s admission. At the same time, the official convinced the young man that without his “help,” it would be impossible to enroll in the college.

Over the next two months, the man communicated with the applicant repeatedly, both by phone and in person. In particular, he advised him on the admissions process and how to register for an online account, giving the impression that the applicant’s admission depended entirely on him.

Later, in one of the villages in the Odesa district, the official received the first installment of the bribe—$500—in a Hyundai Accent.

Later, near the college, he received an additional 22,500 hryvnias for his promised influence over the admissions committee.

The official was notified of his status as a suspect under Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—extortion and receipt of an unlawful benefit in exchange for influencing a decision made by an authorized person.

At the request of prosecutors, the educator was suspended from his position.

Андрій Колісніченко