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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
After the dismissal of Serhiy Muntyan from the position of head of the Territorial Office of the Bureau of Economic Security in the Odesa region, the subsequent work of his former subordinates raises questions. In particular, it concerns Oleksiy Kochurov, who, according to available information, continues to hold a leadership position in the Odesa unit of the BES and oversees investigations related to the circulation of excisable goods.
Muntyan, who headed the Odesa office since 2022, failed re-certification and was dismissed. His activities have previously been the subject of multiple journalistic investigations that raised questions about possible connections, the property status of his circle, and the operations of the agency.
According to sources, Kochurov was one of Muntyan’s trusted officers and retained his position after his dismissal. At the same time, entrepreneurs report possible use of criminal proceedings concerning the illegal circulation of excisable products to exert pressure on businesses.
As an example, criminal proceeding No. 42024160000000179 dated 2 October 2024 was cited, within which investigative actions were conducted at several retail outlets in the city of Odesa.
According to sources, within the proceeding entrepreneurs were accused of illegal manufacture and sale of tobacco products, although in fact it involved the lawful sale of goods. It is also alleged that products were seized and that subsequent pressure was applied to business owners to obtain monthly payments.
Sources claim that such a practice may have been used to create conditions under which entrepreneurs are forced to pay for the ability to continue operating and to get confiscated goods returned.
The situation raises questions about the real reboot of the agency previously announced by BES Director Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi. A mere change of the territorial office head does not guarantee a change in work approaches if employees of the previous team continue to hold key positions.
Telegram publication
