A Half-Million-Scheme: The State Bureau of Investigation Detained an Official from the Black Sea Port and His Accomplice
21 August 14:00
Employees of the State Bureau of Investigations and the Security Service of Ukraine have uncovered yet another corruption scheme at a state-owned enterprise. On August 19, the deputy head of the Black Sea branch of the state-owned enterprise “Administration of Seaports of Ukraine” and a representative of a private company were detained on charges of extortion, according to "Komersant Ukrainian", citing the State Bureau of Investigations.
It is reported that the accomplices demanded 500,000 hryvnias from the commercial entity to resolve an issue with JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia.” The private company was carrying out a contract to modernize a railroad crossing and tracks owned by the rail carrier.
“According to the investigation, the port official, through an intermediary, demanded half a million hryvnias from a representative of the private company. In exchange for this money, they promised to influence ‘Ukrzaliznytsia’ employees so that they would make the necessary decision and not interfere with the contract’s execution,” the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) reported.
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In addition, DBR investigators are examining the involvement of officials from JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia” in the scheme.
What are the charges?
Both suspects have been notified of their suspicion of abuse of influence committed by a group of persons acting in prior conspiracy (Part 2 of Article 28, Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The penalty under this article provides for up to 8 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
Motions are currently being prepared to request that the court impose pretrial detention as a preventive measure for the detainees.
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