The Mayor of Kiliya is suspected of profiting from an energy project during the war

The mayor of a city in the Odesa region is suspected of profiting from an energy project during the war. He allegedly demanded and received a bribe of $35,000 for a permit that would allow the construction of a wind power plant. This was reported by Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, according to UNN.

Details

A Ukrainian company and a British investor planned to build a wind power plant in the Odesa region to provide the region with alternative energy during the war.

"The issue was of critical importance. The Odesa region is one of the regions most affected by Russian attacks in the country. Strikes on critical infrastructure left people without electricity, heat, and water. The wind power plant could have become a source of stable generation. But the mayor of one of the cities in the Izmail district, instead of supporting the project, decided to profit from it," the Prosecutor General reported.

According to Kravchenko, the entrepreneurs needed a permit for the construction—a warrant for the removal of green spaces along the access roads. According to the investigation, at this stage, the mayor began to intentionally block the process: first claiming "there are no environmental inspectors," then "relevant employees are busy," and later "power issues at the city council."

"The company even donated three generators to the city council as charitable aid for uninterrupted operation, but it didn't help. The real reason for the delays was different.

During a meeting at a restaurant, the mayor voiced the 'tariff'—$30,000 for signing the documents and giving the 'green light' for construction. During subsequent communication, he increased the demands, and eventually, the final bribe amount reached $35,000.

The subsequent transfer of funds was documented by law enforcement within the framework of criminal proceedings," the Prosecutor General reported.

To conceal the bribe, the mayor used a crypto-scheme. Through an intermediary, he provided the entrepreneurs with a code for an Odesa exchange office, where the cash was converted into cryptocurrency and credited to a specified electronic wallet.

According to the investigation, after the first tranche of $10,000, the mayor confirmed receipt of the money and initiated the active process of issuing the warrant. Once the document was ready, the entrepreneurs received the next code to transfer another $25,000 through the same scheme.

In total, the official received $35,000. Following this, he was detained in accordance with Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.

Currently, under the procedural guidance of the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office, the official has been notified of suspicion of extortion and receiving an unlawful benefit on an especially large scale (Part 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The prosecutor's office will apply to the court with a motion to select a preventive measure for the official and to suspend him from his position. The investigation is ongoing.

"The cynicism of this story lies in the context. The wind power plant really could have helped people. And the person who should have facilitated such projects instead blocked them and set a price for unblocking. No positions or statuses will help avoid responsibility," emphasized Ruslan Kravchenko.

According to UNN information, this refers to the Mayor of Kiliya. This position is currently held by Viacheslav Cherniavskyi.