The SBI has detained the head and secretary of the city community in the Dnipropetrovsk region on a bribe in 30,000 USD who were planning to capitalize on displaced persons

The employees of the SBI have detained the head of one of the city councils of the Dnipropetrovsk region and the secretary of the council. They demanded bribe of 30,000 USD from an entrepreneur who wanted to build a hostel for internally displaced persons.

There has been a school construction with the area of 4.5 square meters that has remained unfinished since 1990s on the territory of the community. The entrepreneur decided to repair the premises so that internally displaced persons could reside there. The international humanitarian organization had to pay for the accommodation of internally displaced persons.

With this proposal, he turned to the city council. The officials during the meetings asked the man for the bribe of 30,000 USD. For this money, they promised to put the issue to the vote of the session and subsequently to influence the deputies to support the decision on long-term lease of the premise. This made it possible to lease the premise without announcing a special tender.

On April 9, 2024, the businessman gave the bribe to the secretary of the council in his office. During the transfer of money, both officials were detained.

The detainees were served notifications of suspicion of extortion and receiving undue benefits on an especially large scale (Part 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The sanction of the Article provides for imprisonment for up to 12 years with confiscation of property.

The election of measures of restraint is being planned. A full range of persons involved  in the illegal activities is also being established. As well as the information on local law enforcement officers who could "cooperate" with officials in extorting the bribes is being checked.

The procedural guidance is provided by the Eastern Region Specialized Prosecutor’s Office in the field of Defense.