Receipt of undue advantage by Kharkiv Regional Council chair: investigation completed

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) have completed the investigation of the chair of the Kharkiv Regional Council*, his deputy*, and an accomplice suspected of receiving UAH 1.05 million in undue advantage. On July 7, 2022, the case file was disclosed to the defense. The actions of the chair and his deputy fall under Part 4 Art. 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, of his accomplice – under Part 5 Article 27, Part 4 Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

As established, in early 2021, the chair of the Kharkiv Regional Council in collusion with his deputy requested 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.

In July 2021, the deputy chair and the lawyer were exposed and detained after receiving the last part of the undue advantage in the amount of UAH 350,000. Shortly after they were notified of suspicion. In August 2021, the chair of the Kharkiv Regional Council was notified of suspicion as well.

*positions at the time of committing the crime

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.