The SSU has exposed systemic corruption in permits issuing by Kirovohrad Region Main Directorate of National Police. In a special operation, the SSU took down a criminal group that included two police officers and an ex-official of MoI. 

The group illegally issued permits for traumatic weapons for supposed public order protection. For each certificate, they received a bribe of USD 500.

The organizers were two police officers. According to the investigation, they set up a corrupt scheme to issue documents entitling to acquire and carry non-lethal weapons. A former employee of the MoI was involved in illegal activities. He looked for clients and acted as an intermediary to hand over payments.

The SSU detained one of the organizers while receiving a bribe.

The investigation established that there were 200 of such ‘pseudo neighborhood watchers’, who received or planned to get illegally issued permits.

The suspects will be served suspicion notices, while the court is to decide on the measure of restraint.

Urgent investigative and operational steps are underway to establish all the circumstances of the illegal activity and bring to justice those involved.

The SSU Office in the Kirovohrad region carried out the operation under the supervision of Kirovohrad Regional Prosecutor's Office.