The SSU is providing new details of exposure of a current member of the Verkhovna Rada, who extorted money from a foreigner to help him evade extradition.

The SSU Deputy Head Serhii Naumiuk spoke about the case during a joint briefing with the State Bureau of Investigation at the Prosecutor General’s Office.

‘A full range of activities has been carried out, including covert search operations, which revealed violations of law. The case involves a current member of the Ukrainian parliament. He unlawfully seized funds from a foreign citizen for assistance in obtaining a refugee status. The SSU has documented the entire course of events. We have substantiated evidence,’ Serhii Naumiuk said.

The criminal proceeding was opened in April upon the victim’s statement.

According to the SSU Deputy Head, the first conversation, where the MP offers his ‘services’ to the foreigner, took place on June 1. And on June 17, he received the first part of the ‘reward’ – USD 20,000.

Later, the suspect said he needed more money to resolve the issue in the court of first instance. On June 29, he received the second ‘tranche’.

According to Serhii Naumiuk, the MP, having a lawyer’s experience, understood the illegality of his actions and resorted to various means trying to complicate the documentation of the crime.

‘The SSU is comprehensively countering threats to state security and exposing crimes at all levels: from detaining enemy agents and war criminals to a parliamentarian who decided to ‘make’ some illegal money during the war,’ the SSU Deputy Head highlighted.

The SSU, together with the SBI and the Prosecutor General’s Office, documented the criminal actions of the suspect, who for USD 50,000, promised the foreigner his assistance in evading extradition.

The people’s deputy was served a notice of suspicion under Article 190.4 of the CCU (large-scale fraud).

The offence is punishable by up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

Court is to choose a measure of restraint for the suspect.