In Lviv, law enforcement officers have detained a surgeon from one of the territorial medical associations who, according to the investigation, is suspected of demanding an unlawful benefit of 9,000 US dollars for extending a conscription-age man’s disability group. This was reported by the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
The investigation established that the medic demanded money for issuing the necessary medical documents and exerting influence on the decision of the medical commission regarding the extension of an established Group III disability. During a face-to-face meeting, the doctor assured the man that he had connections in medical institutions in the Lviv region and could arrange medical discharge summaries for allegedly inpatient treatment, although in reality the patient would remain an in-patient only ‘on paper’.
According to the investigation, these documents were to be used to extend the disability period. The surgeon also stated that he had influence over members of EKOPFO and could secure a favourable decision for the patient, but said that if he refused to pay, the extension of the disability group would not take place. The sum he quoted for such ‘assistance’ was 9,000 US dollars, which included arranging documents for inpatient treatment and influencing the commission.
After the transfer of the first instalment in the amount of 1,000 US dollars, the doctor was detained by law enforcement officers under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
Under the procedural supervision of the Yavoriv District Prosecutor’s Office, the detainee has been notified of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – offering to exert influence on the adoption of a decision by a person authorised to perform state functions, and obtaining an unlawful benefit for himself for such influence, combined with extortion.
The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Yavoriv District Police Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Lviv Region, with operational support provided by the Yavoriv District Department of the Security Service of Ukraine in Lviv Region. Investigative actions are ongoing, and other possible participants in the unlawful activity are being identified.
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 may not be subjected to criminal punishment until his or her guilt is proven in the manner prescribed by law and established by a guilty verdict of a court.