In the Lviv region, a former deputy head of a Ukrzaliznytsia wagon depot has been sentenced to a real term of imprisonment after being found guilty of receiving an undue advantage under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. According to the regional prosecutor’s office, the court sentenced the man to 5 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.
In addition, the convicted man has been barred from holding positions involving organisational and administrative functions in bodies of state power and local self-government.
Prosecutors proved that the official had set up a scheme for receiving undue benefits from an entrepreneur. In September 2023, the railway concluded a contract with a private company engaged in freight rail transport for the repair of the company’s wagons at the repair depot.
After the agreement was signed, the deputy head of the depot demanded that the company’s representative pay 2,000 UAH for the expedited repair of each wagon. In the event of refusal, as stated in the case files, the work could be artificially delayed, which posed a risk of losses for the company. The money was to be transferred to the bank card of the official’s mother.
In total, under this scheme the deputy head of the wagon depot received 37,000 UAH. In early 2024, his unlawful activities were stopped by law enforcement officers.
The pre-trial investigation in this criminal proceeding was carried out by the Main Directorate of the National Police in Lviv region, with operational support provided by the SBU Directorate in Lviv region. The court’s verdict will enter into legal force after the expiry of the appeal period.