SBI detains three patrol policemen in Odesa region on suspicion of extortion

Officers of the State Bureau of Investigation detained three inspectors in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district of Odesa region on suspicion of extorting bribes from civilians and wanted soldiers.

According to the SBI press service, while patrolling, the police were looking for drivers who could be extorted.

According to intelligence reports, law enforcement officers checked databases for men who were liable for military service and military personnel wanted for unauthorized abandonment of service. When they found them, they threatened to take them to the territorial recruitment center and demanded money. They also used the same scheme to let drunk drivers go without drawing up a report. They took from 300 to 1 thousand US dollars to avoid responsibility.

SBI officials reported that they had documented more than ten episodes of extortion. Some of these cases were recorded on video by the suspects themselves.

Three inspectors were notified of suspicion of receiving illegal benefits (part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Two of them have already been dismissed from the authorities. The issue of choosing a preventive measure for all of them is being resolved.

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VIDEO: SBI

If the police officers are found guilty of the charged crime, they face imprisonment for a term of five to ten years with disqualification to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years, with confiscation of property.

In August, the Patrol Police of Odesa Oblast responded to media reports of an illegal border crossing by a police officer. The man mentioned by the journalists at the time has now been dismissed from the police force - from the position of inspector. They also clarified that he did not hold the position of deputy head of the Izmail patrol police, but only temporarily performed his duties in the past long before the incident. He did not flee abroad alone, but allegedly with another man.

Кирило Бойко