A former detective of Lviv’s criminal police, a resident of the Sokilnyky community, is suspected of extorting and receiving unlawful benefits from entrepreneurs. This was reported by the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the investigation, last year, while working in Lviv’s criminal police division, the man demanded money from business owners. The pressure, according to preliminary information, was exerted on at least two company directors and one businesswoman.
These were enterprises involved in the production and sale of plastic containers and household chemicals, as well as a private business producing and selling confectionery. The police officer contacted the entrepreneurs and assured them that if they refused to pay, he would initiate inspections of their business activities by supervisory and law enforcement agencies. The business owners, knowing that the man worked in the police, believed he could create obstacles to their commercial activities, so they agreed to the payments.
The investigation established that he did not stop “collecting tribute” even after being dismissed from the police. The man continued to persuade entrepreneurs that he still held his post, and they, unaware of his dismissal, complied with his unlawful demands.
It has been documented that from July 2023 to May 2024 the suspect received a total of 112,500 UAH in unlawful benefits. The funds were provided in three ways: in cash, by transfer to a bank card specified by him, or in the form of cashless payment for goods. In the latter case, he supplied the entrepreneurs with invoices, and they paid for purchases on his behalf, including for his personal and household needs.
Under the procedural guidance of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, the former senior detective has been notified of suspicion of fraud and receiving unlawful benefits by an official, committed repeatedly (Part 1 Article 190, Parts 1, 3 Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Investigative actions are ongoing, and other possible episodes of unlawful activity are being examined.
The pre-trial investigation is being carried out by the Territorial Office of the SBI based in Lviv, with operational support from the Lviv Office of the Internal Security Department of the National Police of Ukraine.
The Prosecutor’s Office reminds that, in accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt has been proven in the manner prescribed by law and established by a guilty verdict of a court.