Ternopil Transport Safety Official Suspected of Taking Bribes
In Ternopil region, the deputy head of the regional department of Ukrtransbezpeka was reported on suspicion of receiving $3,500 in illegal benefits. According to the investigation, the official demanded money from an entrepreneur for the unhindered transportation of goods on the region's roads.
This was reported on October 15 on the website of the Ternopil Regional Prosecutor's Office.
According to the investigation, the official regularly received extortions from a local company engaged in freight transportation. For the unhindered passage of trucks on regional roads, the absence of document checks and dimensional and weight control, the suspect demanded money from the head of the company. At first, he estimated his services at a monthly payment for the rent of his apartment for 500 US dollars and an additional 2,000 dollars in cash. Later, he obliged the entrepreneur to pay 1,000 dollars every two months directly for the rent of the apartment
They noted that law enforcement officers documented several cases of money transfers totaling $3,500.
When receiving the last tranche, the suspect asked to hide the money under a chocolate wrapper, hoping to hide the bribe. However, immediately after receiving it, the official was detained by law enforcement officers. The suspect was removed from his position and a preventive measure in the form of a bail of almost 200 thousand hryvnias was chosen for him
The official was informed of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - receiving unlawful benefit by an official occupying a responsible position. The sanction of the article provides for imprisonment for a term of five to ten years with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term of up to three years, with confiscation of property. The investigation is being conducted by investigators of the State Bureau of Investigation in the city of Lviv, with operational support from the State Bureau of Investigation in the region.
We previously reported that an official was detained in Dnipro while receiving $12,000.
