SBU exposed an acting deputy chief of a district unit of the Main Directorate of National Police in Zhytomyr region and his accessory lawyer on extortion.

Within the framework of the initiated criminal proceeding, law enforcement established that the police captain jointly with the lawyer set up a scheme of extortion money from locals for not bringing to administrative responsibility for traffic violations, including drunk driving. The average fee for settling an issue was UAH 10,000-12,000 (USD 360-430). The accomplices assured that money was appointed for “arranging” issues in the court.

SBU officers documented several facts when the suspects took bribes. According to investigation, the fraudsters “settled” up to ten cases per month.

The law enforcement detained the policeman in Zhytomyr region when he received a part of another bribe.

Within the framework of the criminal proceeding initiated under Part 3 Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the issue of serving the suspects notice of suspicion and choosing a type of detention for them is being solved.

The documenting of other facts of receiving other bribes is ongoing.

The operation was conducted by the SBU Office in Zhytomyr region jointly with the Territorial Directorate of State Bureau of Investigations in Khmelnytskyi under the supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.