The SSU jointly with the SBI have exposed an organized criminal group that was engaged in illegal business in Poltava oblast and tried to ‘get protection’ from the SSU.

An officer of the SSU was offered a bribe to ‘turn a blind eye’ to the clandestine business. He refused and immediately reported the incident to his superiors.

Since the ‘offer’, the SSU Main Directorate for Internal Security has been documenting the actions of the crime ring to identify all its members.

Eventually, the law enforcement agencies served five persons notices of suspicion.

According to the investigation, since the autumn of 2022 the offenders had been engaged in illegal felling in Myrhorod district, Poltava region. Every month, they sold over 30 cubic metres of oak logs under fictitious documents.

The suspects are charged with committing crimes under the Articles of the CCU:

• 246.4 (illegal felling or illegal transportation, storage, sale of timber);
• 369.1, 369.3 (offer, promise or providing of an unlawful benefit to an official);
• 368.3 (acceptance of an offer, promise or receipt of an unlawful benefit by an official).

The pre-trial investigation is completed. The indictment has been submitted to court.

The accused individuals are facing imprisonment for 5 to 10 years with disqualification to hold certain positions and confiscation of property.

The operational and investigative activities were conducted under the supervision of Poltava Region Prosecutor’s Office.