Vinnytsia region deputy demanded bribe from wife of fallen Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier in exchange for her son’s demobilization – SSU. PHOTO
The Security Service and the National Police detained a deputy of a village council in Vinnytsia region who, together with a local lawyer and his accomplice, extorted money from the family of a fallen Ukrainian soldier.
This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to the SSU (Security Service of Ukraine) press centre.
As noted, in exchange for a bribe, the defendants promised the victim to speed up the demobilisation procedure for her military son, who fought with his father at the front.
According to preliminary information, in case of refusal to pay, the defendants threatened her with artificial obstacles to her son's discharge from military service.
Law enforcement officers documented the crimes and detained them red-handed while transferring money from the victim.
According to Yevhen Kronivets, Deputy Head of the Investigative Department of the Vinnytsia Region Police, the suspects were aware that the woman’s husband had been killed at the front and that she was receiving state compensation. They also knew that her son was serving in the military. Law enforcement officers established that a 46-year-old local councilwoman, a 63-year-old lawyer, and a 62-year-old resident promised to facilitate her son’s demobilization. They valued their "services" at $4,000.
The individuals involved attempted to secure an "interest" in the total amount, which they planned to divide among themselves.
During searches, investigators seized mobile phones and other material evidence related to the criminal scheme.
Currently, all three defendants have been served a notice of suspicion under Art. 15(2), Art. 27(4), Art. 369(3) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (incitement to a completed attempt to give an official an undue advantage, committed by a group of persons).
The offenders are in custody. They face up to 8 years in prison with confiscation of property.
