Uzhgorod deputies vacationed abroad using fictitious leave – Security Service of Ukraine

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the National Police conducted a series of searches in the administrative building of the Uzhhorod City Council to investigate the circumstances of local deputies traveling abroad.

This information was reported by the press service of the Security Service of Ukraine.

The special service alleges that officials used fictitious “business trips” as a cover for vacations abroad. According to the investigation, officials from the city council provided false information in official documents regarding their official business trips to leave Ukraine. To arrange foreign travel, these officials allegedly used fake invitations from affiliated foreign organizations, as stated by the Security Service of Ukraine.

To conceal their criminal activities, the individuals involved did not register such “correspondence,” and the signed letters for these foreign “business trips” were not included in the electronic document management systems of the city council, according to the agency.

Law enforcement authorities claim that during these “business trips,” the officials were actually traveling abroad for leisure during wartime.

The investigation is ongoing within the framework of a criminal case regarding the illegal transportation of individuals across the state border of Ukraine. Those involved could face up to 9 years in prison with the possibility of being banned from certain positions or activities for up to three years and property confiscation.

As of now, there have been no reports of charges against the officials. The Uzhhorod City Council has not made any statements about the searches on its social media or website. Based on the photos, it appears that the SBU conducted searches in the office of the city council’s secretary and the department responsible for working with deputies and permanent commissions.