In Lviv region, a head of a department of a city council executive committee has been exposed who, according to the investigation, demanded 500 US dollars for influencing the resolution of a land matter. This was reported by the Pustomyty District Prosecutor’s Office.
The investigation established that an official of one of the city councils in Lviv district offered a resident of a neighbouring district to “help” him lease 2 hectares of municipal land, which the man intended to use to set up a car park. For his services, the 42-year-old official allegedly requested 500 US dollars and promised to influence city council officers whose decision would determine whether the plot was leased.
The entrepreneur, believing he had lawful grounds for the lease, turned to law enforcement and subsequently acted under their control. Immediately after the transfer of the agreed sum, the official was detained under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
Under the procedural guidance of the Pustomyty District Prosecutor’s Office, he has been notified of suspicion of receiving an unlawful benefit for influencing a decision by a person authorised to perform local self-government functions (Part 2 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The prosecution also reported that this official is already in the dock in two other criminal proceedings. The Frankivsk District Prosecutor’s Office of the city of Lviv has referred to court indictments relating to offences committed in 2020 and 2022. He is accused of unauthorised actions with information and of abuse of authority by a person providing public services.
The pre-trial investigation in this proceeding is being conducted by Police Unit No. 2 of Lviv District Police Department No. 2 of the Main National Police Directorate in Lviv region, with operational support from the Security Service of Ukraine Directorate in Lviv region. Pursuant to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt is proven in the manner prescribed by law and established by a guilty verdict of a court.