The SSU and the NABU have shut down another corruption scheme of taking bribes for land ownership registration. A member of Ternopil District Council, who is also a deputy head of the local territorial community, is one of the organizers.

According to the investigation, the council member and his accomplice, a lawyer, extorted USD 300,000 from a Ukrainian investor who wanted to buy an agricultural company in the oblast.

In return for the money, they promised the buyer not to create artificial obstacles in the process of registering ownership of land plots belonging to the agricultural entity.

The SSU documented the suspects’ unlawful activities and identified all participants of the scheme.

In addition to the two persons involved, the SSU exposed the company’s current owner, who incited the buyer to bribe a judge, the council member and his accomplice to eventually transfer the land to private ownership.

Based on the collected evidence, the district council member was notified of suspicion under Article 368.4 of the CCU (acceptance of an offer, promise or receipt of an unlawful benefit by an official).

The lawyer’s criminal actions were qualified under Articles 27.5, 368.4 of the CCU.

The head of the agricultural enterprise was served a notice of suspicion under Articles 27.4, 369.3 of the CCU (offer, promise or giving of an unlawful benefit to an official).

The court is to decide on measures of restraint. The investigation is ongoing. The suspects are facing up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The operation was conducted under the procedural supervision of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.