The Security Service of Ukraine and the Office of the Prosecutor General, with the assistance of the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Internal Security Department of the National Police, have exposed officials from regional police departments involved in illegal schemes.

According to the investigation, the suspects were involved in ‘protecting’ the activities of models on online platforms featuring explicit content. In exchange for various sums of illicit benefits, the officials guaranteed their ‘protégés’ that they would not be held accountable for illegal content.

Among those detained by law enforcement are:

• the head of the Main Department of the National Police in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast;
• the deputy head of the Main Department of the National Police in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast;
• the first deputy head of the Main Department of the National Police in Ternopil oblast;
• the deputy head of the Main Department of the National Police in Zhytomyr oblast;
• a driver from the vehicle fleet of the State Agency ‘Service Center for MIA Units’, who acted as an intermediary-courier.

During the searches, evidence of illegal activity and funds, likely obtained through criminal means, were seized.

In connection with the crimes committed, the officials have been notified of their status as suspects under Article 368 of the CCU (acceptance of a proposal, promise, or receipt of an unlawful benefit by a public official).

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. Efforts are ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the offences and bring all persons involved to justice.

In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of a crime and may not be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in accordance with the law and established by a court conviction.