The SSU, jointly with the NABU and the SAPO, have uncovered a mayor and a district council head of a city in Zakarpattia region involved in corruption. They used their official positions to sell a 3-hectare land plot in the city centre at a reduced price.

The organizer of the scheme is the chairman of the district council, who also has influence in the region’s criminal underworld. In the past, he was twice elected as a Member of Parliament, including from the now-banned party of regions.

At the council’s meeting, the mayor ensured that a decision was made to sell the land plot at a price that was almost nine times lower. The buyer was a private company, controlled by the head of the district council.

The deal was based on an expert report that undervalued the land. According to the investigation, the owners of the appraisal company were bribed for providing the ‘right conclusion’.

As a result, the land with a market value of UAH 84.6 mln was sold for UAH 9.6 mln.

In addition, the mayor personally granted the company a 6-month deferred payment plan.

The SSU and the NABU have detained the mayor, the head of the district council, and the former head of the municipal property and land relations unit of the city council.

The officials, as well as the two owners of the appraisal company and the appraiser, will be notified of suspicion under the Articles of the CCU:

• 358 (forgery of documents, seals, stamps and forms, sale or use of forged documents, seals, stamps);
• 364 (abuse of power or position);
• 368-4 (bribery of person providing public services).

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