The SBU exposed corrupt officials of the Emergency Hospital of Zaporizzhia City Council. The participants of the corruption scheme demanded up to UAH 500,000 (USD 18,000) for the medical "services".

The SBU documented facts of extortion of money from persons with disability for neurosurgeries.

Allegedly, the illegal activity was organized by several officials of the medical institution. The suspects demanded money from citizens for services that fall under free medical care. The organizers of the scheme involved a mediator to transfer the illegal benefit.

The size of bribes depended on "package of services", including for surgeries, private rooms and unimpeded registration of relevant documents.

To make their activities look legal, the officials received signed statements from patients about alleged voluntary "contributions" to the development of the medical facility.

The law enforcement officers detained the mediator in the premises of the medical institution during the transfer of a bribe. One of the organizers of the deal was detained in his office.

The issues of serving the perpetrators suspicion notices of taking a bribe and choosing a type of detention are being settled.

The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the case and bring to justice other persons involved in illegal activities, including the management of the medical institution.

The operation was carried out jointly with investigators of the National Police under the supervision of the Zaporizzhia Regional Prosecutor's Office.