The former head of phytosanitary safety for the Odesa region pleaded guilty in a case involving grain exports

The former head of the Odesa Region’s Phytosanitary Safety Department was found guilty of abuse of influence while processing documents for the export of nearly 6,000 metric tons of corn. She was supposed to arrange for the test results to be altered so that the shipment would be allowed to be sent to Egypt. 

The Center for Public Investigations looked into the details of the case.

According to the court’s verdict, in May 2023, the vessel HASAN, carrying 5,898 metric tons of corn, was docked at the Izmail Commercial Seaport. The cargo belonged to three Ukrainian companies—Ivenrise, Banners, and Teka Petroleum. Phytosanitary certificates were required for its export to Egypt.

During the initial testing of grain samples, the Odesa Regional Phytosanitary Laboratory detected ragweed levels exceeding the permissible limit. As a result, a representative of the companies contacted the Central Phytosanitary Laboratory in Kyiv to request a re-examination.

According to the investigation, it was at this stage that the exporters’ representative was offered the opportunity to influence laboratory staff in exchange for a bribe. According to investigators, the former head of the Odesa Regional Phytosanitary Safety Department, who had the necessary connections, was drawn into the scheme.

According to the case file, following this intervention, the test results were altered: instead of the 30 quarantine organisms that had been detected, the documents listed 9–10, which met the permissible threshold for export to Egypt. Based on this data, phytosanitary certificates could be issued for the shipment.

In June 2023, a meeting took place in Odesa at the London Hotel restaurant, during which $2,400 was handed over to influence employees of the Central Phytosanitary Laboratory.

As Intent reported, in 2026, the former official entered into a plea agreement with the prosecutor. However, the court refused to approve the agreement and continued to hear the case under standard proceedings.

Анна Літман