A bribe tied to the amber business: the SBU detained two of its own top officials

The Internal Security Department of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has detained two senior officials from regional SBU offices who allegedly extorted $620,000 from the head of a monopoly company in the amber business in exchange for closing a criminal case.

The SBU reported this.

“The SBU’s Main Internal Security Directorate detained an intermediary and two deputy heads of regional SBU offices who tried to set up an illegal scheme in Rivne region,” the SBU statement said.

According to the case materials, the organizers of the scheme, using an intermediary as their trusted person, demanded $620,000 from the head of a monopoly company in the amber business.

“In exchange for this amount, the suspects promised the businessman to close the criminal proceedings that had previously been opened against his company,” the agency clarifies.

According to the statement, the operation was carried out as part of the SBU’s systematic work to “self-cleanse” the agency.

“Self-cleaning of the Service is our priority. We continue to eradicate any manifestations of corruption, and those involved in ‘schemes’ will regularly be brought to justice,” the statement quotes acting SBU head Yevhen Khmara.

Officers of the SBU’s Main Internal Security Directorate detained both organizers of the deal and their accomplice red-handed during the transfer of more than $270,000.

During searches, smartphones with evidence of illegal activity were seized from the suspects.

At present, the issue is being decided of serving the detainees with a notice of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (accepting an offer, promise, or receiving an unlawful benefit by an official).

The comprehensive measures were carried out under the procedural supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine.