NABU exposes corruption among former and current Border Guard officials
NABU and SAPO announced the exposure of former and current State Border Service officials who are suspected of systematically accepting bribes for facilitating the unhindered crossing of the state border. They have already been notified of the suspicion.
Among the suspects are the former head of the State Border Service, the head of a department at one of the checkpoints, and another former employee of the agency. According to the investigation, in 2023, a group of people organized the illegal smuggling of cigarettes across the state border to the EU. The smooth passage of the goods was ensured by officials of the State Border Service of Ukraine, who systematically received monetary rewards for their assistance.
Only for the period from July to November 2023, border guards received at least 204 thousand euros. The investigation established that for the unhindered passage of each of the 68 cars, officials were paid 3 thousand euros. To hide their activities, officials used cars registered in the Czech Republic and Austria. In particular, to avoid thorough checks, they installed license plates that imitated diplomatic ones.
The passengers of such cars were holders of diplomatic passports - family members of Ukrainian diplomats in Europe. The presence of such passengers made it possible to avoid inspection of the cars by border and customs authorities of the EU countries. At the same time, detectives established that top officials of the State Border Guard Service had previously served together with diplomats, whose relatives later became participants in this scheme.
The department added that the issue of choosing a preventive measure for the suspects is currently being resolved. Their activities are qualified under Part 4 of Article 27 and Part 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code. Suspilne asked the press service of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine for comment.
Earlier, information appeared in the media about searches that NABU and SAPO are allegedly conducting at the residence of former head of the State Border Service Serhiy Deinek. The investigative actions are allegedly being carried out as part of a criminal case regarding illegal profit related to tobacco smuggling.
The press services of the NABU and the Public Prosecutor's Office did not confirm or deny the information regarding the searches of the former head of the State Border Service of the Republic of Ukraine Serhiy Deyneka, who currently holds the position of advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs.
We also reported that former deputy head of the OP Rostyslav Shurma was suspected.
