Odesa Official Detained for $3,000 Bribe in Land Permit Scheme

A deputy head of one of the departments of the Main Department of the State Geocadastre of the region was detained for bribery in Odesa.

This was reported by the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office.

According to the investigation, the official organized a scheme to extort illegal benefits for the provision of permits. He demanded USD 3,000 from a local resident for the preparation of a land management project and assistance in allocating a land plot to private ownership. At the same time, the official threatened to create obstacles if he refused the bribe.

Photo: Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office / Collage by Intent.

Law enforcement officers detained the offender red-handed while he was receiving the full amount. He was served a notice of suspicion under Part 3 of Art. 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - obtaining an undue advantage to influence decision-making by local authorities.

The suspect is currently in custody with a possibility of bail. He was also suspended from his position.

Recently, the SBU together with the police detained in Odesa a member of a civil society organization suspected of facilitating the illegal departure of men abroad and unimpeded movement through the territory of Ukraine for bribes.

Earlier, the acting director of the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning ,Marat Kasimov, was detained in Odesa while receiving a $10,000 bribe.

In February, police detained an official of the architecture and urban planning department of one of the city councils in Odesa region. She demanded a kickback from an entrepreneur for issuing permits for retail food sales in the market. The official was served a notice of suspicion and a measure of restraint was chosen. She faces imprisonment, deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities, and confiscation of property.

Андрій Колісніченко