The director of the Odessa Medical Center for Seafarers was removed from office for accepting a bribe

In Odessa, the director of the Medical Center for Maritime Safety for Seafarers has been suspended from his post pending the outcome of a bribery case. According to investigators, he issued medical documents for a fee to seafarers who were abroad.

This is evidenced by a ruling from the Primorsky District Court of Odessa. 

According to the investigation,Viktor Zavyalov, director of the Medical Center for Maritime Safety for Seafarers, accepted a bribe. In exchange for money, he allegedly promised to issue the necessary documents to seafarers who were outside Ukraine at the time. To do this, he entered false information into patient registration logs regarding alleged medical examinations, and then personally filled out and signed the medical certificates. The man also headed an expert commission authorized to certify seafarers’ fitness for work.

The prosecutor requested that the defendant be removed from his leadership position, explaining that he continues to head the medical center and the medical commission, and therefore could influence employees who are witnesses in the case or destroy or alter documents relevant to the trial. Zavyalov and his attorney did not object to this decision.

As a result, the court granted the prosecutor’s motion and suspended the director from his position as head of the medical center, as well as from his duties as chairman of the medical commission. Furthermore, until the suspension period ends, he will not be included in the Ministry of Health of Ukraine’s list of certified medical specialists.

In May, police detained him in his office. According to the investigation, it was at that very moment that he handed over the prepared documents to a representative of the sailors and received a bribe in return.

During searches at the hospital and at the official’s home, authorities seized cash, a cell phone, documents, seals, and other evidence which, according to investigators, confirm his involvement in the scheme. If found guilty in court, he faces up to eight years in prison, confiscation of property, and a ban on holding certain positions.

Анна Бальчінос