Under the procedural supervision of the Lviv Region Prosecutor’s Office, an operative and an inspector of a district police department of the Lviv Region Police Main Directorate were served a notice of suspicion. They are charged with extortion and obtaining an unlawful benefit committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy (Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
According to the investigation, law enforcement officers demanded and received an illegal benefit from a local resident for closing criminal proceedings and facilitating the illegal lifting of the seizure of property.
This is a criminal proceeding opened over illegal logging (Article 246 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The vehicle and timber products were seized as part of the proceedings.
For USD 4,000, the suspects promised to “resolve the issue” with the closure of criminal proceedings.
The court has now imposed on the suspects custody as a measure of restraint with the right to be released on bail and suspended them from their positions.
Investigative actions are ongoing, and all persons involved are being identified.
The pre-trial investigation was conducted by the State Bureau of Investigations in Lviv with the operational support of the SBU Office in Lviv region.
Note: Pursuant to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and shall not be subjected to criminal punishment until his or her guilt is proved by law and established by a court verdict of guilty.
Information policy department Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office 
