The SSU has prevented a contract killing of a key witness in the case on a bribe offered to an officer of the SSU Main Investigation Directorate. In the spring of 2024, a group of raiders offered the SSU serviceman USD 1 million.

By attempting to bribe the official, the criminals hoped for his assistance in the raider seizure of an extractive company in Vinnytsia region.

The SSU colonel immediately reported the offer to his superiors, after which the suspects were detained.

However, while in the pre-trial detention centre, the organizer of the criminal group planned the murder of the main witness in the case. In this way, he was trying to evade punishment in court.

The offender began looking for a killer. To do this, he asked for help from the arrested criminals who were in the detention centre with him and had connections on the outside.

The raider promised to provide the killer with all personal information about the witness, including his address and routes.

After committing the crime, the organizer promised to pay USD 50,000.

The SSU uncovered the suspect’s plans at an early stage, documented the crime and stopped it in the phase of preparation for the contract killing.

Under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office, the raider has now been served a new suspicion notice under Articles 27.3, 14.1, 115.2 of the CCU (preparation to commit a contract murder).

Earlier, his actions were qualified under Article 369.3 of the CCU –offering, promising or giving an unlawful benefit to an official.

The suspect faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.