A court has remanded two suspects in custody in connection with a case involving a multi-million-pound bribe for drones

Diana Shevchenko
Diana Shevchenko Journalist
A court has remanded two suspects in custody in connection with a case involving a multi-million-pound bribe for drones
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The High Anti-Corruption Court has imposed preventive measures on an official of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the owner of a drone manufacturing company, who are suspected of demanding a bribe of $1 million during the procurement of drones for the State Border Guard Service

This was reported by the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.

The court set bail for both suspects

Following a decision by the investigating judge of the High Anti-Corruption Court, the official from the State Border Guard Service Administration was remanded in custody with the option of posting bail of 4 million hryvnias. The owner of a private drone manufacturing company was remanded in custody with the option of posting bail of 44.262 million hryvnias.

What is known about the case

According to the investigation, the State Border Service official organised the procurement of unmanned aerial vehicles for the agency’s units and set the tender conditions in such a way that a company controlled by his accomplice would win. The SAPO claims that during the procurement process, another participant emerged who offered to supply 270 unmanned aerial systems for 825 million UAH. Subsequently, the company submitted an updated bid, reducing the contract value to 760 million UAH, after which it won the tender.

The investigation alleges the extortion of $1 million

According to the NABU and the SAPO, following the defeat of the company under their control, the suspects decided to obtain an unlawful benefit from the winning bidder. The investigation believes that the company’s owner began persuading the head of the winning company to provide a bribe in exchange for the unhindered conclusion and performance of the future contract. To back up his demands, according to law enforcement, he arranged a telephone conversation with a representative of the State Border Guard Service. The SAPO notes that the amount of the unlawful benefit was $1 million, or between 5% and 10% of the value of the future contract. According to the investigation, these funds were to be distributed among the participants in the scheme and certain officials of the State Border Guard Service.

What charges have been brought against the suspects

The State Border Guard Service official is charged with committing an offence under Part 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The company owner has been notified of charges under Part 4 of Article 27 and Part 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The SAPO noted that the pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

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