The SBI checks the legality of the construction of 25 facilities in Vinnytsia and involvement in transactions of City Council officials

The SBI employees check the scheme of illegal enrichment by officials of the State Inspectorate of Architecture and Urban Planning (until September 15, 2021 - the State Architectural and Construction Inspectorate of Ukraine) and City Council officials on construction transactions (deals) in Vinnytsia.

Since 2018, 25 residential and commercial real estate facilities have been built in Vinnytsia.

It was found that the permits and approvals for the construction of these facilities were issued illegally by the employees of the DABI (now the DIAM), as well as by several officials of the departments of the City Council.

 In particular, despite the requirements of the legislation, building permits were issued within recreational, sanitary protection zones and coastal lanes. Building permits were also issued in areas where this could threaten the life and health of people, as it significantly complicated the work of rescue services in case of emergencies.

 Officials illegally seized land from the fund of the territorial community, including doing it at low prices, which caused losses to the state.

According to operational information, to implement their criminal intentions, officials lobbied for several recruitments of persons close to them in a structure that would control those constructions.

Thus, officials were completely aware of false data contained in the documentation, in particular on the square, number of floors, the height of premises, and purpose of construction.

Therefore, law enforcers, controlled by them (under their control), who were authorized to identify and respond to such offenses, deliberately "turned a blind eye" to such.

Meanwhile, several local officials during this time were able to "improve" their financial situation by tens of millions of hryvnias. The exact amount of illegally received (obtained) funds is currently being established.

As part of a criminal proceeding, SBI employees conducted searches in the offices of the Vinnytsia City Council and several particular departments.

Pre-trial investigation is ongoing. A review of the seized documentation will be carried out and the decision of notifying certain persons of suspicions will be announced.

Preliminary qualification of the offense: abuse of power or official position, resulting in grave consequences (part 2 of Art. 364, Art. 368-5 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The sanction of the article provides for a sentence of imprisonment of up to 10 years.

Procedural guidance is carried out by the Vinnytsia Regional Prosecutor's Office.