Kharkiv Regional Council chair suspected of taking UAH 1 million bribe
On August 4, 2021, NABU and SAPO notified the chair of the Kharkiv Regional Council of suspicion of accepting a UAH 1.05 million bribe. The actions of the official fall under Part 4 Art. 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine ("Receipt of illegal benefit of gross amount by an official who occupies a responsible position, or by a group of persons upon their prior conspiracy, accompanied with requests of undue advantage").
As established, in early 2021, the chair of the Kharkiv Regional Council in collusion with his deputy demanded and received a UAH 1.05 million bribe from the head of a regional utility company, a subsidiary of the Kharkiv Regional Council, for retaining him in office.
During the first half of 2021, the officials received the money in four tranches, including through a lawyer who acted as an intermediary.
According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered non-guilty in the commission of a crime and cannot be subject to criminal punishment until he or she is found guilty by court.
