Police detain ophthalmologist in Odesa on suspicion of bribe extortion

Police officers detained an ophthalmologist in Odesa on suspicion of extortion and receiving $7,500 in undue advantage for processing medical documents and promising to influence the decision of the medical advisory commission to establish a visual disability.

According to the press service of the Main Directorate, investigators served the suspect with a notice of suspicion. He faces up to eight years in prison with confiscation of property.

The illegal activities of a 51-year-old ophthalmologist at a local clinic were exposed and documented by investigators of the Odesa District Police Department No. 1 together with officers of the Internal Security Office in Odesa Region of the 2nd Department of the SBU Main Directorate of Internal Security.

Law enforcement officers found that a man with an eye disease who had previously received treatment had turned to the doctor. He needed to receive a package of medical documents - certificates, references and other materials - for further consideration by a medical advisory commission to determine his ability to work.

However, the doctor, who was supposed to issue the necessary documents free of charge within the framework of his official duties, made an illegal demand that the man pay money for their issuance. In addition, he promised to influence the medical advisory commission to ensure the necessary conclusion on the state of health, including the establishment of a visual disability. In the future, this could be the basis for obtaining a deferral from military service.

For all this, the doctor demanded 7,500 dollars. Of this amount, according to him, $3,500 was intended for him, and another $4,000 was for an official of the medical advisory commission, whom he was supposed to influence.

The police detained the doctor while he was receiving the bribe in his own car on the territory of the medical institution. During the search of the car and the doctor's office, the police seized a cell phone, cash and medical records confirming the official's illegal activities. The court imposed on him a custodial measure of restraint with the right to be released on bail in the amount of UAH 432.6 thousand.

Кирило Бойко