Head of TCC department in Odessa region detained for extorting fuel in exchange for removing man from wanted list

Police in the Odessa region have detained the head of one of the departments of the Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support (TCC and SS). According to investigators, the official extorted vouchers for 500 liters of diesel fuel in exchange for removing a military-age man from a wanted list and facilitating his deferment.

This was reported by the National Police.

According to case materials, the deputy head of a critically important enterprise approached the department head — he wanted to clarify the procedure for paying a fine on behalf of a man who was on the TCC and SS wanted list and whom he planned to employ at his enterprise.

“It has been preliminarily established that the deputy head of a critically important enterprise approached the head of one of the departments of the Odessa Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support to clarify the procedure for paying a fine on behalf of a man who is on the TCC and SS wanted list and whom he wishes to employ at his enterprise,” the National Police statement reads.

According to police, the serviceman offered to “resolve the matter” in exchange for vouchers for 500 liters of diesel fuel with a total value of nearly 45,000 hryvnias. If the reward was refused, the official threatened the military-age man with possible consequences related to mobilization.

The representative of the critically important enterprise turned to law enforcement. Following that, police together with the SBU documented and stopped the unlawful actions. The official was detained after his subordinate — who, according to investigators, was unaware of his superior’s intentions — received the fuel vouchers on his instructions.

During investigative proceedings, law enforcement officers seized the fuel vouchers, mobile phones, and a laptop. The detainee has been served with a notice of suspicion of receiving unlawful benefit by an official holding a position of responsibility, combined with extortion.

The article carries a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property and a ban on holding certain positions for up to three years. Law enforcement officers are petitioning for the suspect to be remanded in custody.