Millions demanded for access to wood: head of “Batkivshchyna” cell detained in Kharkiv region
The Security Service of Ukraine has exposed a corruption scheme in the timber sales sector in the Kharkiv region, involving the head of the regional branch of “Batkivshchyna”. The participants in the scheme demanded bribes from entrepreneurs for obtaining valuable timber.
This was reported by the press service of the SBU.
According to the investigation, the head of the interregional office of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine”, his subordinate, an intermediary, and a local party functionary were involved in organizing the scheme.
The participants demanded money from entrepreneurs who won the exchange auctions for the purchase of industrial timber. In return, the businesses were paid to ship more valuable species of timber instead of those stipulated in the auction terms.
In one of the episodes, the suspects demanded 1.3 million hryvnias for almost 200 cubic meters of timber. To conceal their actions, the employees entered false information into official documentation.
Law enforcement officers detained all the organizers while receiving part of the bribe.
During the searches, mobile phones and documents confirming their involvement in the scheme were seized from the suspects.
Currently, all detainees have been notified of suspicion under articles on misappropriation of property through abuse of official position and obtaining illegal benefits. All suspects are in custody. The sanctions of the incriminated articles provide for up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
It is worth adding that, according to RBC-Ukraine sources, the detained person is Serhiy Leonidovich Ponomarenko, head of the regional branch of “Batkivshchyna” in the Kharkiv region.
As a reminder, NABU and SAPO reported suspicions to MP, head of the Batkivshchyna faction Yulia Tymoshenko. The investigation covers the facts of bribery to parliamentarians for supporting or blocking certain initiatives in the session hall. NABU also published audio recordings in the case of an alleged offer of an illegal benefit to MPs.
By the way, law enforcement officers detained a judge of the Reniyskiy District Court of Odessa region on suspicion of receiving illegal benefits . He was caught receiving 800 euros and 300 US dollars.
Previously, NABU and SAPO exposed a former top official and a current employee of the State Border Service of Ukraine for systematically receiving illegal benefits for facilitating the unhindered crossing of the state border.
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