Two medical professionals were arrested in Chernihiv region for promising to forge report on soldier’s death in exchange for $1,000. PHOTO
In the Chernihiv region, law enforcement officers have uncovered a forensic medical expert and a staff member at a district hospital who are suspected of extorting money in exchange for drawing up a false report regarding the death of a serviceman. According to the investigation, the medical staff demanded 1,000 dollars, and were arrested whilst receiving 45,000 hryvnias.
This was reported by Censor.NET, citing the Chernihiv regional police.
According to the investigation, the forensic pathologist had agreed with a hospital employee in one of the region’s districts to receive an unlawful benefit in exchange for drawing up a forged expert report regarding the deceased soldier.
They demanded $1,000 for their services.
At the agreed time, the healthcare worker received 45,000 hryvnias for ‘correctly’ processing the documents. After the money was handed over, law enforcement officers arrested both suspects in accordance with Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
The forensic expert was granted bail, whilst his accomplice was placed under house arrest
According to the police, both detainees have been placed in a temporary detention centre.
The forensic medical expert was ordered to be remanded in custody, with the option of posting bail set at 266,000 hryvnias.
The court ordered house arrest for the hospital employee, who is pregnant.
Law enforcement officials reported that a decision had been made to charge the suspects under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – the receipt of an unlawful benefit by a public official in a position of responsibility, combined with extortion.
The penalty under this article provides for a prison sentence of between five and ten years, with additional penalties.
The investigation was carried out by police investigators in Chernihiv Oblast in conjunction with the Strategic Investigations Department, under the procedural supervision of the regional prosecutor’s office.
