SBI exposes corruption in ESBU: two employees detained

SBI exposes corruption in ESBU: two employees detained

SBI employees, in cooperation with the SSU, have exposed two officers of the Bureau of Economic Security (ESBU) who used their official positions for personal enrichment. The investigation has recorded two separate criminal proceedings.

This is reported by the SBI.

Case No. 1: Senior detective demanding a bribe

The suspect in the case is a senior detective of the ESB territorial department in Kyiv region.

• Scheme: The detective demanded $15,000 from a man involved in a case of manufacturing and selling counterfeit money.

• Pressure: He assured the victim that he had sufficient evidence to bring him to criminal liability again and threatened him with a real prison term due to his existing criminal record. To exert psychological pressure, the detective sent him fake summonses.

• Result: Law enforcement officers documented the fact that he received $10,000.

Case No. 2: “Influence” of a ESB analyst

The second proceeding concerns a ESB analyst who previously worked in the tax authorities.

• Scheme: A representative of a company that had been denied a fuel storage license approached the analyst.

• Method: For a reward, he promised to “influence” tax officials to change the decision in favor of the company. After the company obtained the license, the analyst demanded $2,000 as payment for his “services.”

Legal qualification

The ESB officers were detained. Notifications of suspicion and motions to the court for the selection of preventive measures are currently being prepared. Qualification of the crimes:

• Senior ESB detective: Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (receiving undue benefit by an official holding a responsible position, on a large scale).

• ESB analyst: Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (receiving undue benefit for oneself for influencing the decision of a person authorized to perform state functions).

Procedural supervision of the cases is carried out by the Office of the Prosecutor General.