The Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police exposed a lawyer in Kyiv for taking bribes. The investigation revealed that the lawyer had demanded US$30,000 from a person involved in a property dispute that was being heard in one of the capital’s courts.

It has been established that, in exchange for this bribe, the lawyer promised to unlawfully influence the judge’s decision regarding the division of marital property in favour of his client.

To make his case more convincing, the lawyer assured the woman that he had personal connections within the court system to ‘resolve’ this matter.

SSU officers documented the suspect’s offences and caught him red-handed near one of Kyiv’s markets as he handed over the bribe.

During searches of the suspect’s workplace and home, evidence of his unlawful activities was uncovered.

The lawyer has now been served with a notice of suspicion under Article 369-2.3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (abuse of power combined with the extortion of an unlawful benefit).

He faces up to 8 years' imprisonment and property confiscation.

The comprehensive operation was carried out under the procedural supervision of the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office.