Ochakiv resident sentenced for trading influence with SBU for bribe

He promised to resolve the issue through alleged connections in the SBU, but instead of making quick money, he received a real prison term. In Mykolaiv, a court found guilty a native of Ochakiv who took $5,000 for a promise to influence the paperwork for a Georgian citizen.

This is evidenced by the verdict of the Ingulsky District Court of Mykolaiv.

A native of Ochakiv, who promised to influence the decision of SBU officials regarding the processing of documents for a foreigner in exchange for money, was put in the dock.

As the investigation established, in January 2024, the man offered his services to an acquaintance, saying that he had connections in the Security Service of Ukraine and could help lift the ban on residence in Ukraine for a Georgian citizen who had previously been deported from the country. He asked for 5 thousand US dollars for his services.

In March 2024, 2 thousand hryvnias were transferred to his bank card, allegedly for expenses related to the resolution of the issue. Already on April 19, during a meeting in Mykolaiv, the man received the principal amount of 5 thousand dollars.

After the money was transferred, law enforcement detained the suspect. During searches of his car and residence, they seized cell phones, bank cards and counterfeit bills used to document the crime.

In court, the defendant fully admitted his guilt. He said that he introduced himself as a former SBU officer and agreed to help because he wanted to make money. According to him, the issue of paperwork for the foreigner was already under consideration.

The court concluded that the man's guilt was fully proven by the evidence collected during the pre-trial investigation. He was accused of taking a bribe to influence a decision by an official.

As a result, the man was sentenced to three years in prison. Part of the time he spent in custody during the investigation will be credited to his sentence.

Also in Mykolaiv, the court sent a citizen of Moldova to custody. He is suspected of a scheme to produce fake Romanian passports to evade mobilization.

Анна Бальчінос