The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) launched its first hotline to report corruption and smuggling on the Ukrainian border.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) launched its first hotline on March 15, tailored for Ukrainian and international businessmen to report corruption and smuggling on the Ukrainian border.
“We must know who prevents businessmen from working fairly,” said Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, the acting SBU chief.
Callers can report crimes and offenses involving the Customs Service of Ukraine.
Though the hotline doesn’t serve English speakers, they can write the SBU an email in English reporting border incidents.
The SBU’s hotline is not the first for Ukrainian authorities: the Customs Service of Ukraine also has a hotline for reporting border problems.
Unlike the others, the SBU has the direct authority to investigate.
“Establishing this service, the SBU acts as part of the legal machinery,” said Maryna Ostapenko, the SBU’s press secretary. “The main aim of this hotline is to establish a direct connection with businessmen.”
The SBU will serve in removing artificial bureaucratic barriers, exposing smuggling schemes and shadowy tax declarations, and help businessmen to work fairly and transparently, she said.
The hotline’s first three weeks led to three investigations into smuggling incidents in Lviv, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Kyiv.
The hotline’s success will depend upon whether Ukrainian and international businessmen feel comfortable in using it to report on corruption, said Serhiy Ronzhyn, general director of the Irbis computing company.
“It’s a question of the businessmen’s mentality, and if they are ready to fight to ensure fair business,” he said. “Sometimes, it is easier just to give up.”
The hotline’s operators are officers of the SBU’s Main Administration in Fighting Corruption and Organized Crime.
Once a report is filed, investigators will check out the allegations and prosecute lawbreakers.
Besides taking reports, the officers can offer consultation and advice on any border problems.
The SBU hotline for businessmen is: (8044) 2533214 or [email protected].
The Custom Service hotline is: 88005013130, (8044) 2472719 or [email protected].
In the fourth quarter of 2007, 247 people called the Customs Service hotline, among them 127 businessmen.
On the basis of these calls, seven prosecution cases were brought against customs officials.
