Ukrainian Military Enlistment Official Detained Over $15,500 in Bribes

An official of a regional military enlistment office (TCC) in Ukraine's Donetsk region has been served a notice of suspicion after investigators said he took money for promised transfers to other units and discharges on health grounds.

The suspect is the acting head of the staff psychological support group at one of the regional enlistment and social support centers (RTCC) in the Donetsk region. The case was announced by the State Bureau of Investigation and the specialized defense prosecutor's office of the Eastern region.

How the scheme worked

According to investigators, in late August a serviceman he knew asked him to help the man's brother transfer from the TCC to another military unit closer to home. The official assured him he could arrange this through his connections for money, and in September he received $4,500.

On October 13 he demanded and received $5,500 each from the same man and his brother, a serviceman of the RTCC, for help with a decision to remove both men from military registration. He was detained in the Dnipropetrovsk region right after receiving the $11,000. Across the three episodes the unlawful benefit totals $15,500, prosecutors said.

Charges and court decision

His actions were classified under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code (an official accepting an unlawful benefit for actions in the interests of a third party using his position) and Part 3 of Article 369-2 (accepting an unlawful benefit for influencing a decision, combined with extortion).

At the prosecutor's request, the court ordered pre-trial detention with the option of bail of UAH 266,240. The prosecutor has appealed the ruling.

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