Receipt of undue advantage by Kharkiv Regional Council сhair: case sent to court
On Jan. 31, 2023, NABU and SAPO filed an indictment against the chair of the Kharkiv Regional Council*, his deputy*, and an accomplice. They are accused of receiving an undue advantage of UAH 1.05 million. The actions of the officials fall under Part 4 Art. 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, of the 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 also became suspect.
On July 7, 2022, the investigation was completed.
* positions at the time of committing the crime
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.