Vitaliy Klitchko party activist arrested over a $1 million bribe
Source: Security Service of Ukraine
The Security Service of Ukraine said on Wednesday it has detained a regional leader of Vitaliy Klitchko’s political party after he was paid a hefty bribe to help resolve “land issues” with the Kyiv City Council.
The activist was caught red-handed while accepting a $900,000 advance from a businessman in Odesa. The suspect allegedly promised to secure a 25-year lease for a plot of land in a recreational area near the Dnipro River, owned by the Kyiv.
Investigation found that the businessman whose name is not revealed was trying to get an official approval from the Kyiv city council. After he was given the roundabout several times, the man approached the suspect. Posing as a lawyer with connections, the suspect offered to get the issue sorted out with Kyiv city officials for what he called a ‘fee’
The lawyer has been charged under Article 190, Part 5 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (fraud involving especially large sums or organized groups), which carries a penalty of up to 12 years in prison.
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