The Security Service of Ukraine has detained the Head of the Zhytomyr Regional Territorial Centre for Recruitment, who demanded money from a local entrepreneur in exchange for not mobilising his employees.

As the investigation established, the official had established a scheme for systematically obtaining illicit benefits from the owner of a local company.

In exchange for the bribes received, he promised the businessman that he would not carry out mobilisation measures against his draft-aged employees.

After receiving the money, the suspect took lists of company personnel, whom he was supposed to ‘protect’ from inspections by the TRC’s mobile teams and law enforcement officers, as well as when passing through checkpoints.

The SSU documented the official’s crimes and caught him red-handed after he received another bribe from the ‘client’.

SSU investigators have notified the detainee of his status as a suspect under Article 368.3 of the CCU (acceptance of an offer, promise, or receipt of an unlawful benefit by a public official).

The decision on a measure of restraint is pending. The suspect faces up to 10 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime and bring those responsible to justice.

The operation was carried out under the procedural supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine.