“Toilet scheme” in the KCSA: NABU and SAPO announce new suspicions
9 December 18:07
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) have announced new suspicions in the investigation of land corruption in Kyiv, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
The case concerns the former deputy head of the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA) and his accomplice, who tried to take possession of two land plots in the capital using a fraudulent registration of non-existent structures known as the “toilet scheme.”
The essence of the “toilet scheme” and the role of the former official
The investigation, which is part of Operation Clean City, alleges that the suspects acted in 2023-2024 with the aim of misappropriating city land.
The mechanism of land acquisition:
- Creating an illusion: The suspects secured registration of “buildings” that were allegedly built in the early 90s to fictitious persons.
- Transfer of rights: These fictitious “objects” were acquired by controlled companies, which then applied to the Kyiv City Council for the formation of land plots for the “maintenance” of these non-existent buildings.
- Securing the right (Toilets): To finally secure the right to the land, the suspects, together with a member of the Kyiv City Council (head of the land commission), organized the construction of primitive structures, so-called “toilets,” on the plots, issued technical passports and registered ownership of the land.
The investigation notes that the accomplices even kept detailed records of expenses, recording the sources of funding, amounts and directions, including funds that were allegedly paid to unidentified representatives of law enforcement and regulatory authorities to ignore the unauthorized construction.
Damages and Qualification
The amount of potential damage that could have been caused to the Kyiv community as a result of this transaction is over UAH 19.5 million.
The actions of the suspects are qualified under Part 5 of Art. 27, Part 3 of Art. 15, Part 5 of Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (attempted misappropriation of property on a large scale committed by an organized group).
In total, 9 suspects are currently involved in the case of land corruption in the Kyiv City Council. Two persons are already in the dock, and a guilty verdict has been delivered against another participant in the crime. The investigation is ongoing, and other episodes of criminal activity are being established.
Warning: In accordance with part one of Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and shall not be subjected to criminal punishment until his or her guilt is proved in accordance with the law and established by a court verdict of guilty.
