In Odesa, police have exposed two men abusing their influence. The offenders promised to «assist» a client in processing papers at the TCC and SP for money to evade military service. Law enforcement arrested them after they received the first part of the bribe for their «services». They face imprisonment along with asset confiscation.

The criminal activities of two residents of Odesa, aged 28 and 45, were identified and documented by the investigators of Odesa District Police Department No. 1 in conjunction with the Main Directorate of Internal Security of the SBU.

The accomplices targeted a conscripted man, boasting about their connections with officials at the territorial recruitment and social support center, claiming they could influence decisions regarding mobilization issues for a fee. They promised the Odesa resident a certificate for temporary exemption from conscription due to caring for an ill father, who was actually healthy, and demanded 11,000 dollars for this.

Police arrested the offenders after they received the first installment of the illicit benefit amounting to 5,000 dollars and personal documents for further processing of a fake deferment. According to the suspects, the entire process would take about three weeks, and soon, after paying the remainder of the bribe, the client would receive the promised certificate.

As material evidence, police seized documentation, money, and the criminals' mobile phones containing information confirming illegal activities.

Having gathered sufficient evidence, the investigators informed the perpetrators of their suspicion under part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for receiving illicit benefits for influencing a decision by a person authorized to perform state functions, combined with extortion of illicit benefits, committed by a group of individuals in premeditated collusion. The maximum penalty for such a crime is eight years of imprisonment with asset confiscation. Currently, the issue of preventive measures for the suspects is being resolved.

The procedural leadership in this case is carried out by the Kyiv District Prosecutor's Office of Odesa. Investigative actions are ongoing.