Position: inspector of the customs post "Rava-Ruska" of Lviv Customs.
Sphere of corrupt activity: customs.
Region of corruption activity: Lviv 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: sentenced to six years in prison with confiscation of property, dismissed from office.
The plot of the case: according to the case materials, on January 15, 2023, the chief state inspector of the customs clearance department of the Rava-Ruska checkpoint, Iryna Tsaban, received UAH 6,000 from the driver of the Opel Vivaro minibus for not drawing up a protocol on violation of customs rules and unhindered movement across the customs border of Ukraine of used tires for passenger cars through the "green corridor".
In addition, on January 24, 2023, Iryna Tsaban again received a bribe of UAH 2,000 from the mentioned driver for the unhindered movement of used car tires across the customs border of Ukraine. At the same time, the customs inspector registered the minibus as having entered the territory of Ukraine without cargo.
The accused denied her guilt at the court hearing. She explained that it is allowed to import goods worth 500 euros per person and weighing no more than 50 kg without declaration. She also stated that visually the weight of the tires did not exceed this norm, and since they were used tires, as was explained to her for the needs of the military, she did not exceed them.
The minibus driver, who was a witness in the case, explained in court that he is a volunteer and often crosses the border. After some time, the customs officials began to hint to him that he should pay for unobstructed passage through the customs, so he filed a complaint with the law enforcement officers. He confirmed that he twice bribed Iryna Tsaban for the transportation of goods beyond the norm, at the same time he put the bills spotted by the law enforcement officers in his foreign passport, which the inspector returned to him without money. He also said that he had the phone number of the customs inspector, had previously called her and coordinated his actions regarding the border crossing.
After examining the case materials, Iryna Tsaban was found guilty of bribery and official forgery and was sentenced to six years in prison with the deprivation of the right to hold positions related to the performance of organizational, managerial and administrative and economic functions for three years and the confiscation of all her property. Also, by court verdict, she was deprived of the special title "customs service adviser of the IIIrd rank". Also, Iryna Tsaban was dismissed from her job at the customs office.
Persons potentially involved in corruption schemes: other participants in the corruption scheme are identified.
Assets: in the declaration for 2023, Tsaban indicated land plots, a residential building and an apartment. In particular, the residential building was purchased in 2022, it was registered to the husband.
Tsban also declared an excavator, a car and a truck.
In addition, she noted that she has UAH 280,000 in cash, while her husband has UAH 580,000 in cash.
Scandals: from open sources it is not known about other scandals in which Tsaban would still appear.
Persons who should have reacted: in the case of Tsaban, the law enforcement officers reacted in time.
Sources:
https://public.nazk.gov.ua/documents/cb727836-f09c-4fdf-9b22-54d41dd27aaa