Position: Head of the Department of Phytosanitary Safety of the Main Department of the State Production and Consumer Service in Ternopil region.
Sphere of corrupt activity: trade.
Region of corruption activity: Ternopil city, Ternopil region.
Qualification: Part 3 Art. 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (receiving a bribe in a particularly large amount or by an official who occupies a particularly responsible position).
It is punishable by deprivation of liberty for a term of eight to twelve years, with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term of up to three years, and with confiscation of property.
Status: is serving a sentence in a colony.
The plot of the case : now the former head of the Department of the State Production and Consumer Service Vitaly Pankevich was detained in April 2021 for extorting money from businessmen.
Operatives of the SBU and DBR in Lviv documented a corruption scheme organized by the man. The official systematically demanded and received money from Ternopil businessmen who traded in flowers and decorative plants. For a bribe, he promised not to create unnecessary problems and phytosanitary inspections during the import of goods from abroad.
"The official demanded to pay him bribes for each truck with imported goods. In April 2021, law enforcement officers detained an extortionist in his own car at one of the gas stations in Ternopil. He just received another bribe," the SBU of the Ternopil Region reported.
On January 31, 2024, Judge Oleksandr Duda of the Ternopil City and District Court found Vitaly Pankevich guilty of a criminal offense and sentenced him to 5 years and 6 months of imprisonment with deprivation of the right to hold positions in state authorities, local self-government bodies, state and communal enterprises, related to the performance of organizational and managerial and administrative and economic functions for a period of 3 years. Also, all property belonging to the husband should be confiscated.
Persons potentially involved in corruption schemes: there is no information in public sources about Pankevich's alleged accomplices.
Assets: in his declaration upon dismissal 01.01.2023 - 15.12.2023, Pankevich indicated that he has two plots of land, and the apartment belongs to his wife.
In addition, he received 22,823 hryvnias of salary for the main place of work. He also declared 8,300 Canadian dollars.
Scandals: there is no information in open sources about other scandals in which Pankevich would still appear.
Persons who should have reacted: in the case of Pankevich, the law enforcement officers reacted in time.
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