The deputy head of the Poltava regional council was suspected of traveling to the EU under the guise of an official business trip and was notified of suspicion under three articles of the Criminal Code, the Security Service of Ukraine reported on Tuesday, UNN reports.
The Security Service and the State Bureau of Investigation have documented crimes committed by the deputy chairman of the Poltava Regional Council. According to the investigation, in March 2023, the official arranged an official business trip to the city of Bydgoszcz in Poland and left Ukraine under the guise of a business trip. However, according to the case file, after crossing the state border, the MP went on personal business to one of the southwestern EU countries. He stayed there for the entire duration of his "business trip"
This is reportedly evidenced by bank card statements that the official used to pay bills in foreign hotels, restaurants and shops.
He also allegedly signed a power of attorney for a foreign citizen to purchase real estate in the European Union while abroad, the SBU said.
In addition, upon his return, the official, according to the SBU, "entered false information in the reporting documents on the results of a foreign business trip.
During the searches, the original documents, including foreign ones, on his residence and travel routes outside Ukraine were seized from the deputy. The SBU also found cell phones confirming the official's illegal activities, the SBU said.
Based on the evidence, the official was served a notice of suspicion under three articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
▪️ Article 366 (forgery in office);
▪️ Article 190 (fraud);
▪️ Art. 358 (forgery of documents, seals, stamps and forms, sale or use of forged documents, seals, stamps).
The issue of choosing a measure of restraint is being decided. The offender faces imprisonment.