The mayor and secretary of a city council in Dnipropetrovs'k region were notified of suspicion. According to the investigation, they demanded $30,000 in bribes from an entrepreneur who wanted to build a dormitory for IDPs. UNN reports this with reference to the State Bureau of Investigation.
As UNN learned from its own sources, it is about the mayor of Novomoskovsk, Serhiy Reznik.
"SBI officers detained the head of one of the city councils in Dnipropetrovs'k region and the council secretary. They demanded a $30,000 bribe from an entrepreneur who wanted to build a dormitory for IDPs," the statement said.
It is reported that since the 90s, there has been an unfinished school with an area of 4,500 square meters on the territory of the community. The entrepreneur decided to renovate the premises so that the IDPs could be accommodated there. An international humanitarian organization was supposed to pay for the accommodation.
He addressed the city council with this proposal.
"During the meetings, the officials asked the man for a USD 30,000 bribe. In exchange for this money, they promised to put the issue to a vote at the session and further influence the deputies to support the decision to lease the premises for a long term. This made it possible to rent the premises without announcing a special tender," the SBI informs.
It is noted that on April 9, 2024, the entrepreneur handed over a bribe to the council secretary in his office. Both officials were detained during the transfer of money.
"The detainees were served a notice of suspicion of extortion and receipt of unlawful benefit in a particularly large amount (Part 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)," the SBI reports.
In addition, a preventive measure is planned to be imposed.
The full range of persons who may have been involved in the transaction is also being established, including information on local law enforcement officers who may have "cooperated" with the officials in extorting a bribe.