Head of the KCSA Department “got burned” on bribes for emission permits

National Police officers served a notice of suspicion to the head of a department of the Kyiv City State Administration of systematic bribery. He received money for issuing permits for air pollutant emissions.

This was reported by the Main Investigation Department of the National Police.

The official, together with his accomplices, organized a scheme: they demanded bribes for issuing free permits for emissions of pollutants from stationary sources into the air.

Investigators found out that the suspect created artificial obstacles for entrepreneurs to obtain such permits free of charge. The packages of documents submitted for consideration were unreasonably returned for revision.

After that, the employees of the company controlled by the attacker offered their intermediary services to entrepreneurs to obtain the necessary permits. Operatives of the National Police have established that such illegal "services" have been provided to at least 5 companies. The reward for such "help" was up to 20,000. UAH depending on the number of pollution sources specified in the permit.

"The received funds were transferred to the bank cards of persons under the control of the accused, after which they were prepared and distributed among the members of the criminal group," the police say.

The official was served a notice of suspicion under Part 3 of Art. 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine “Acceptance of an offer, promise or receipt of an unlawful benefit by an official”. The sanction of the article provides for up to 10 years in prison with disqualification to hold certain positions and confiscation of property. The issue of choosing a measure of restraint and removing the suspect from office is currently being decided.

Earlier, police investigators completed a pre-trial investigation against 3 people who were members of this criminal group. Indictments against them have already been sent to court.

Recently, EcoPolitics reported that, according to journalists, the director of the Berehove forestry earns hundreds of thousands on the trade in illegal timber.