The SSU has announced the arrest of the deputy chair of the Odesa Regional Council on suspicion of extorting a bribe
The Security Service of Ukraine has reported the arrest of one of the deputy chairmen of the Odesa Regional Council, who, along with his accomplices, is suspected of extorting 50,000 US dollars from a local businessman.
According to the case file, in return for this money, the official promised the businessman unhindered processing of planning permission for the construction of a holiday village near the port city.
According to the investigation, should the developer refuse to pay, he was threatened with the deliberate delay of the necessary paperwork.
To carry out the scheme, law enforcement officials claim, the official enlisted the secretary of one of the village councils in the Odesa district and the head of an engineering company.
SBU officers documented, according to their findings, the illegal activities of those involved and detained them after they had received the first instalment of the bribe, amounting to 10,000 US dollars.
During searches of the detainees’ homes, law enforcement officers seized documents and other material evidence which, according to the investigation, are relevant to the criminal proceedings.
The deputy chair of the Odesa Regional Council has now been served with a notice of suspicion. Law enforcement officers are also considering whether to serve notices of suspicion on other individuals involved in the case.
The comprehensive operation was carried out by officers of the Security Service of Ukraine in the Odesa region, in conjunction with the National Police, under the procedural supervision of the Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of a crime until their guilt has been proven in accordance with the law and established by a court conviction.
