In the Sheptytskyi district, a hospital nurse was exposed for demanding and receiving an unlawful benefit in return for using her influence to secure a Category III disability status for a man liable for military service. This was reported under the procedural guidance of the Sheptytskyi District Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the investigation, the patient was undergoing examinations at this medical facility to determine a disability group due to existing illnesses. During their conversation, the nurse assured him that, despite having legitimate grounds, he would not be able to obtain disability status without “assistance”, but that she had the necessary connections and could help resolve the matter.
The investigation established that the woman had promised to arrange the issuing of a sick leave certificate confirming that he was undergoing treatment and the establishment of the relevant diagnosis, as well as to influence members of the ECOPFO to secure a decision favourable to the man. If Category III disability status were granted, the man liable for military service would, according to her, be able to legally obtain a deferment from mobilisation. She priced the entire “package of services” at 5,000–6,000 US dollars.
Realising that he had lawful grounds to obtain a conclusion on incapacity for work and the establishment of a disability group, the patient turned to law enforcement and subsequently acted under their supervision. He paid for the “services” in instalments: it has been documented that the nurse received 500 US dollars in June this year and 3,000 UAH at the beginning of August.
Law enforcement officers detained the woman under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine after she received another instalment of the unlawful benefit in the amount of 600 US dollars. The detainee has been notified that she is suspected of receiving an unlawful benefit for influencing the decision-making of a person authorised to perform state functions, combined with extortion of such a benefit (Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
Investigative actions are ongoing, and other individuals who may be involved in the unlawful activity are being identified. The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Sheptytskyi District Police Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Lviv region, with operational support provided by the Sheptytskyi District Department of the Security Service of Ukraine in Lviv region.
Pursuant to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and may not 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.