The Security Service of Ukraine has dismantled a criminal scheme involving employment within the State Customs Service of Ukraine and admission to its specialised university.

As a result of coordinated investigative measures, the deputy head of one of the directorates, who also heads a division of the State Customs Service’s Human Resources Department, has been detained.

The investigation established that the official accepted bribes in exchange for employing individuals liable for military service within the State Customs Service, thereby enabling them to obtain deferments from mobilisation.

In addition, the HR official used his position to facilitate applicants’ admission to the institution’s specialised university in exchange for money. To do so, he leveraged his personal connections with the university’s senior management.

The perpetrator charged USD 25,000 for these ‘services’.

The SSU documented several stages of the bribe transfers to the official and detained him.

Based on the evidence collected, the detainee has been notified of suspicion under Articles 27.3, 368.3, 368.4 of the CCU (organising the acceptance of an offer or promise of, or the receipt of, an unlawful benefit by a public official).

The court is to decide on a measure of restraint for the suspect. He faces up to 12 years in prison and confiscation of property. The investigation is ongoing.

The operational and investigative measures were conducted under the procedural supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General, in cooperation with investigators from the National Police.

Note: Under Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been established by a court judgment of conviction.