Law enforcement officers have uncovered a large-scale corruption scheme that allowed servicemen to leave the front lines for money. The scheme involved high-ranking officers, including the former deputy chief of staff of one of the commands of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to the State Bureau of Investigation, a group of officials organized an illegal mechanism to transfer soldiers from the combat zone to rear areas. The service cost $8,000.
The role of the former deputy chief of staff:
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He used his official connections to influence military leaders.
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Coordinated decision-making regarding transfers for bribes.
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Communicated with high-ranking officials at various levels to implement illegal schemes.
The organizers well understood the principles of operation of operational and military units, so they carefully developed a mechanism of interaction and used conspiracy measures. However, the SBI investigators managed to document all the criminal activity.
All four organizers were charged with abuse of influence by prior conspiracy (Part 2 of Article 28, Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The sanction of the article provides for up to 8 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
In addition, suspicion was placed on four servicemen who took advantage of this scheme by paying a bribe for a transfer (Part 1, Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
Currently, investigators are investigating over 150 cases of possible illegal transfer to the rear under this scheme.
Procedural management is provided by the Specialized Defense Prosecutor's Office of the Prosecutor General's Office.
