HACC takes into custody lawyer from Odesa who extorted money from military man

On June 21st, the High Anti-Corruption Court took into custody a lawyer from Odessa who is suspected of inciting a military officer to provide $2,000 in unlawful advantage to a judge of the Primorsky District Court in the city of Odessa. This information was reported by "Slovo i Dilo."

"The request of the senior detective of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) to apply a preventive measure in the form of detention for the suspect in criminal case No. 52023000000000250 dated June 9, 2023, is partially satisfied. Apply to the suspect a preventive measure in the form of detention for a period of 60 days from the day of his actual detention," the decision states.

Additionally, the court imposed an alternative penalty of a bail in the amount of 134,200 Ukrainian hryvnias.

In case the funds are deposited, the following obligations will be imposed on the suspect:
- To appear at the request of authorities.
- Not to leave the Odessa region without permission.
- To report any change of residence or employment.
- To refrain from communicating with witnesses or other individuals regarding the circumstances of the case.
- To surrender foreign passports and wear an electronic bracelet for monitoring.

Previously, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office had announced suspicion against the lawyer from Odessa. According to the investigation, the lawyer demanded the mentioned funds from a military officer, claiming to assist in obtaining a favorable decision in an administrative case from a judge at the Primorsky District Court in Odessa. The lawyer was apprehended "red-handed" immediately after receiving the funds on June 19th. The investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being made to identify other individuals who may be involved in this criminal offense.