SBU Detains Odesa Man for Facilitating Illegal Travel for Up to $15K

In Odesa, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) jointly with the police detained a member of a public organization suspected of facilitating the illegal travel of men abroad and unimpeded movement through the territory of Ukraine for bribes.

According to the SBU press service, he guaranteed his clients the issuance of fictitious certificates of members of the organization, which allegedly gave them the right to move freely through the territory of Ukraine, including during curfews. The cost was up to USD 3 thousand.

In exchange for a monetary reward of up to USD 15 thousand, the detainee promised to produce forged military registration documents with a note of unfitness for service to travel abroad on their basis.

The man was detained while handing over a fake certificate of a member of a public organization for USD 800 and receiving another USD 9 thousand for the production of military registration documents on unfitness for military service, which he was to hand over later.

Law enforcement officers seized the detainee's illegally obtained funds and other material evidence confirming his criminal activity. It was also established that the detainee had previously been prosecuted for influence peddling.

Currently, the businessman was served a notice of suspicion under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- Part 4 of Article 368-3 (obtaining by an official of a legal entity of private law of an unlawful benefit for a third party for performing actions using the powers granted to him in the interests of the person providing such benefit, repeatedly and by prior conspiracy by a group of persons);
- Part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (organization of illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine).

If his guilt is proven, the man faces up to 9 years in prison with confiscation of property and deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years.

Кирило Бойко