Almost 300 officials and law enforcement officers were caught taking bribes this year, the total amount of bribes exceeded Hr 20 million, according to the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI).
“In just eight months of 2021, thanks to the work of the SBI, the receipt of illegal benefits by officials throughout Ukraine in the total amount of Hr 20.8 million was documented,” the Bureau said in a statement posted on its website on Sept. 16.
The largest amounts of illegal benefit are documented in Kyiv city, as well as Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa and Ternopil regions.
“The total amount of losses established as a result of investigations […] is Hr 167 million. Also, thanks to the work of the SBI, property worth Hr 365 million was seized,” the message says.
Also, over eight months of this year, 482 persons were reported on suspicion of committing corruption crimes.
“Of these, under the article on accepting a proposal, a promise or obtaining illegal benefit (Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), there are about 282 people, of which: one top official, 108 police officers, eight prosecutors, one SBU employee, 20 tax officers, 19 customs officers, 27 border guards, and 11 employees of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine,” the SBI said.
According to the Bureau, since the beginning of this year, indictments have been sent to the court against 429 people, of which 232 people are accused under the article of obtaining illegal benefit (Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
