Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
The SBU and the SBI detained a lawyer in Kyiv who demanded 5 million US dollars to “close” a criminal case
The Security Service, together with the State Bureau of Investigations and the Office of the Prosecutor General, exposed a lawyer who demanded 5 million US dollars for facilitating the closure of a criminal case.
According to the case materials, the lawyer offered a defendant in a case of fraud, document forgery, and legalization of proceeds “to resolve the matter” with law enforcement.
For 5 million US dollars the lawyer promised the suspect, who is currently abroad, that he would use his own connections and influence to stop the criminal prosecution.
The lawyer also guaranteed that his “client” would not later be held accountable, would not be put on an international wanted list, and would not be reported to Interpol.
In addition, for a fee he promised to prevent the seizure of the subject’s accounts and property.
SBU officers detained the lawyer inside one of the banks in the Pecherskyi district of the capital while receiving an “advance” — 3 million 800 thousand US dollars.
To disguise the transfer of funds, the subject had previously ordered an equivalent sum of cash from the financial institution. His plan was that immediately after receiving the money he would swap it for different banknotes and make subsequent documentation of the crime more difficult.
The detainee has been notified of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (abuse of influence).
The offender faces up to 8 years in prison with confiscation of property.
Investigative actions are ongoing to establish all circumstances of the offense, as well as other persons who may be involved.
Comprehensive measures were carried out by SBU officers in Kyiv and the Kyiv region together with the SBI under the procedural supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General.