In Odesa, the deputy director of a research institute is suspected of bribery for closing criminal proceedings

Employees of the State Bureau of Investigations (DBR) have exposed a group of law enforcement officers who were demanding money from individuals involved in criminal investigations in exchange for not prosecuting them. One of the schemes involved conducting biased examinations, in which the deputy director of the Odessa Research Institute of Forensic Expertise was involved.

The investigation was triggered when an attempt to extort a bribe from the director of a private enterprise involved in the construction of a school was detected. The director was suspected of embezzling budget funds during the construction project. The extortionists promised to conduct a construction and technical examination for $70,000, the results of which would be used as grounds to close the criminal investigation against him.

DBR officers arrested the deputy director of the Odessa Research Institute of Forensic Expertise during the exchange of the agreed-upon bribe. The question of notifying the detained individual of suspicion of abuse of power (Article 369-2 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code) and the determination of preventive measures is being addressed.

The sanction of the relevant article provides for a punishment of up to 8 years of imprisonment. Investigative actions are ongoing, including searches at the workplaces and residences of the individuals involved. The complete circle of persons connected to the extortion scheme is being established.

It's worth noting that in Odessa, a commander of a military unit was detained for receiving a $2.5 million bribe, pretending to be an official from the conscription center. The suspect received the money in exchange for providing documents for crossing the border.