“Demanded a 10% ‘kickback’ for servicing ‘Starlink’ equipment.” A city council official has been arrested in Kherson
This was reported by the SBU press office.
According to the investigation, the official promised the businessman assistance in securing contracts for work in the city’s municipal institutions, particularly in nurseries. In exchange, the businessman was to pay a ‘kickback’ amounting to 10% of the total contract value. Should the businessman refuse, the official threatened to terminate existing contracts.
“It has been documented that, under these conditions, the official concluded five contracts with the contractor for the maintenance of ‘Starlink’ terminals in two nurseries, a library, the executive committee and the city council’s culture department,” the SBU stated.
Law enforcement officers caught the official “red-handed” whilst receiving another instalment of the bribe. During searches, computer equipment and smartphones containing evidence of the deal were seized from him.
The official has been notified of suspicion of abuse of influence — Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. He faces up to 8 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.
Yaroslav Shanko, head of the Kherson City Military Administration, also commented on the situation. He declared a “zero-tolerance policy towards corruption” and stated that the detainee had already been suspended from his post pending the investigation.
“If an official is involved in corrupt activities, they must be held accountable in accordance with the law, regardless of their position or status. Attempts to profit from the community or abuse one’s official position are unacceptable,” emphasised the head of the Military Administration.
As a reminder, the SBU previously uncovered two schemes to evade mobilisation in Kyiv.
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