Two officials of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection who extorted bribes from laboratories of Volyn markets will be brought to court

The head of the department and the chief specialist of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection in Volyn region, who demanded bribes from market laboratories, will be tried. They were detained during the transfer of $1200.  This was reported by UNN with reference to the State Bureau of Investigation. 

SBI officers completed a pre-trial investigation against the head of one of the departments of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection in Volyn region and his accomplice, the chief specialist of the service. The indictments were sent to court

According to law enforcement, the head of the department demanded bribes from employees of local veterinary and sanitary laboratories at the markets. In particular, from one laboratory in Kovel alone, the head of the department demanded a monthly fee of USD 400 for work without inspections.

In case of refusal, the defendant threatened to arrange inspections, which could result in not only a reprimand but also the loss of his job.

The official involved the chief specialist of one of the management departments, who was supposed to collect the "subscription fee", in extorting money.

While handing over another tranche of $1,200, he was detained by SBI officers jointly with the National Police and the SBU.

Both defendants are accused of trading in influence (Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The sanction of the article provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for up to 8 years with confiscation of property.

At the request of the SBI, the court imposed custody as a measure of restraint on both defendants. The head of the department was suspended from his duties, and the chief specialist was dismissed from his job at the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection.