A scandal has erupted in the Odessa region related to the detention of the mayor of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Vitaliy Grazhdan, who is suspected of extorting a bribe for booking services. According to the National Police of the Odessa region, searches are also being conducted at the premises of the local administration.
According to the investigation, the citizen demanded a bribe for help in booking a mobilization from employees of one of the enterprises.
According to media reports, the mayor was detained by officers of the Security Service of Ukraine.
In addition, searches are being conducted at the city council building. Department “K” (for combating corruption) is working on the site.
What is known about Vitaliy Grazhdan?
Vitaly Grazhdan, 45, is from the city of Bilhorod-Dnistrovsk, Odessa region. He is married and has a daughter.
In 1995, he graduated from secondary school No. 2 in Bilhorod-Dnistrovsk. From 1995 to 1999, he studied at the Odessa Institute of the Ground Forces. From 2001 to 2005, he continued his studies at the Odessa National University named after I.I. Mechnikov, majoring in “Jurisprudence” and received a lawyer’s qualification.
From 1999 to 2009, he served in the military as deputy company commander for educational work and head of the unit club in military unit A0664 in Bilhorod-Dnistrovsk.
Later, he worked as an investigator at the Military Prosecutor's Office of the Bolgrad Garrison, a prosecutor at the Prosecutor's Office, and a senior prosecutor at the Military Prosecutor's Office of the Bilhorod-Dniester Garrison. He was dismissed from his position due to staff reductions.
In 2015, Grazhdan was elected a deputy of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi City Council (VII convocation), chairman of the standing committee on legality, regulations, and protection of citizens' rights.
He also worked at the “Absolvo” bar association (after receiving a certificate of the right to practice law).
On October 25, 2020, during the local elections, Grazhdan was elected mayor of the city of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi.
Recall that earlier, in May 2022, law enforcement officers came to search the mayor of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi. Then the SBI searched him for prohibited St. George ribbons and red flags.
Later that year, Grazhdan got into a conflict. In June, he fought at a session of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district council with its head, Hryhoriy Melnychenko.
