In one of the district councils of Kyiv region, the SSU exposed a large-scale scheme of extorting money from citizens for assistance related to land. The officials’ intermediary was detained after receiving a bribe of USD 45,000.

In return for the money, he promised to assist a local in changing the legal purpose of land usage into private construction.

According to the investigation, a group of district council officials organized the scheme and involved an intermediary, resident of Vyshhorod.

This individual was looking for citizens who needed assistance in resolving legal issues with their land plots, including their legal purpose. The intermediary assured he would help after receiving the illegal payment. 

The cost of such ‘services’ depended on the plot area.

The investigation into bribery is underway to establish all the circumstances of the offence and bring the involved to justice. The court is to decide on the measure of restraint.

The Main SSU Directorate in Kyiv and Kyiv region carried out the operation under the supervision of Vyshhorod District Prosecutor’s Office.