The State Bureau of Investigation has exposed a lawyer for demanding $9,000 to have a case involving a special forces soldier closed and to have him removed from the wanted list
Officers from the State Bureau of Investigations have exposed a lawyer who, according to the investigation, demanded money from a soldier whose interests he was representing.
According to the investigation, the lawyer offered his client assistance in closing criminal proceedings concerning unauthorised absence from his unit, removal from the wanted list and discharge from service. He claimed to have influence over officials in law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of Defence, the Regional Military Commissariat and the Joint Staff, as well as military units.
The prosecutor’s office reported that, in return for this money, the lawyer also promised to facilitate the entry of relevant data into the ‘Oberig’ system.
The investigation established that, to create the impression that the agreements were being fulfilled, the lawyer had the serviceman sign statements and petitions requesting his removal from the wanted persons database. He also instructed his client to delete the ‘Reserve+’ app and install ‘Army+’, brought a summons for a medical examination from the TCC and SP, and assisted in the issuance of a new military ID card.
Furthermore, in the presence of the soldier, the lawyer telephoned people he presented as employees of the Ministry of Defence regarding the removal of the client from ‘Reserve+’.
Initially, the lawyer received 4,000 US dollars and showed the client documents purporting to suspend the proceedings. Subsequently, he demanded a further 5,000 US dollars for the final resolution of the matter regarding discharge from service.
After the second instalment of the money was handed over, the lawyer was detained in accordance with Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
During searches, cash, a mobile phone, documents and military registration documents belonging to around ten people were seized from him.
The lawyer was notified of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — obtaining an unlawful benefit for influencing a decision, combined with extortion.
The State Bureau of Investigation also noted that law enforcement officers are verifying information regarding possible fraudulent actions by the lawyer, as at the time of receiving the funds he could not, in fact, have made any agreements with anyone.
The court imposed a preventive measure on the suspect in the form of detention with the right to post bail.
The offence carries a penalty of up to eight years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. Investigators are also examining the possible involvement of other individuals.
