The SBU exposed officers of the Main Office of the State Fiscal Service in Rivne region on systematic bribe-taking from liquor stores’ owners.

Allegedly, the illegal scheme was set up by officers of the Department for control of turnover and tax liabilities of excisable goods. The fiscal officers extorted money from the businessmen for non-interference with their business activities. The monthly “fee” amounted to USD 150 per a liquor store. The money was collected once in four months. For this period, each of 16 regional districts paid over UAH 0,5 million (USD 18,500) on average.

Several days earlier, the law enforcement detained a senior state inspector of the State Fiscal Service on receiving a bribe amounting to USD 600. During the search of the suspect’s car, the law enforcement seized USD 2,000. The detainee is charged with taking a bribe by an official (Part 3 Art. 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The investigation is ongoing. The issue of bringing to justice another officers of the Department involved into the illegal scheme is being settled.

The operation was conducted jointly with the Internal Security Department of the Main Office of the State Fiscal Service in Rivne region and the Territorial Office of the State Bureau of Investigations in Khmelnytskyi city under the supervision of the Prosecutor's Office in Rivne region.