Former ESB and police officers suspected of USD 150,000 extortion

NABU and SAPO have exposed a former detective of the Economic Security Bureau and a former investigator of the Kyiv region police, who demanded USD 150,000 from a company executive.

As established, that was the price for avoiding criminal prosecution and having the company’s accounts unblocked. The suspects pressured the executive, trying to convince him that charges, conviction, and confiscation of property were inevitable.

Following the start of the investigation, both officers were discharged.

Their actions fall under Part 4 Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The former police investigator is also suspected of unlawfully acquiring and storing a firearm and ammunition, which were discovered and seized during a search.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered not-guilty in the commission of a crime and cannot be subject to criminal punishment until he or she is found guilty by court.