The SSU has completed a pre-trial investigation into a criminal organization, created and led by the former first deputy head of the Department of Preventive Activities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

At the time of the exposure in 2021, he and his accomplices held official positions and ran a large-scale scheme of ‘charging’ citizens for permits to purchase and store weapons, including firearms.

In 2020-2021, the participants of the scheme issued groundlessly over 700 permits, for which they received millions of ‘profits’.

Following the SSU’s investigation, the unlawfully gained UAH 10 mln (USD 247,000) on the bank accounts of the former high-ranking official were seized.

The criminal group included another 4 heads of arms control units of the National Police in Kyiv and other regions.

For various amounts of money, they ensured smooth, unhindered processing of documents for the right to store and carry rifled, smooth-bore and traumatic weapons.

Additionally, the crooks offered the service of a ‘fast-track’ issuance of relevant permits and their re-registration to extend validity.

The officials also involved an accomplice, who represented their interests in one of Ukraine’s largest networks selling firearms and military equipment.

As a result of the investigation, the SSU notified the organizer and participants of the scheme of suspicion of crimes under the Articles of the CCU:

• 209.1 (legalization (laundering) of property obtained by crime),
• 255.3 (creation, managing of a criminal community/organization, participation in it),
• 366.1 (official forgery),
• 368.3 (acceptance of an offer, promise or receipt of illegal benefit by an official).

The indictment has been sent to court.

The SSU investigated the case under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of a crime and cannot be subject to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in line with the procedure defined by law and established by a court’s verdict.