The SSU has exposed another high-ranking official on systemic corruption.

The corrupt employee is the deputy chief of a directorate in Odesa Region Military Administration.

The individual set up a large-scale criminal mechanism to obtain money from entrepreneurs.

For various amounts of bribes, he offered businessmen his assistance in ‘unimpeded’ allocation of land plots in the southern region.

The SSU documented the fact of extortion of USD 60,000 from a local businessman.

For this sum, the official promised to ensure a lease of two land plots on the Danube coast to the entrepreneur.

The law enforcement detained the suspect near the administration building when he received USD 40,000 - the first part of the bribe.

Criminal proceeding was initiated under the Article 368.4 of the CCU (acceptance of an offer, promise or receipt of an unlawful benefit by an official). The detainee will be notified of suspicion. Court is to decide on custody as a measure of restraint.

The individual is facing up to 12 years behind bars prison with confiscation of property.

The investigation is ongoing.

The SSU Office in Odesa Region exposed the offence jointly with the NABU detectives and the National Police investigators under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.