In Kyiv, law enforcement officers detained the deputy head of the Kozeletsk village council from Chernihiv region, who demanded about $20,000 from an entrepreneur for assistance in obtaining a permit to lease land for the construction of a solid waste sorting station.
According to the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in Kyiv, the official received $15,000 and another 185,000 hryvnias from the businessman for developing a land management project. The businessman contacted the official himself, after which he handed over the money near one of the shopping and entertainment centers in Kyiv.
Police said the official assured the businessman that without his “help” it would be difficult to obtain the 12-hectare plot of land. He also claimed that he had influence over the village council members and could help them make a positive decision during the land lease competition.
In addition, the official demanded payment for the production of project documentation, since part of the site did not have an appropriate purpose.
Investigators have informed the deputy head of the Kozeletsk village council of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (obtaining unlawful benefit). For these actions, he faces up to eight years in prison and confiscation of property.
