Officers from the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau conducted a joint operation to dismantle corrupt practices in the judicial system of Odesa.
As a result of the operations, a local judge and a lawyer were arrested for selling judicial decisions in the city.
The investigation revealed that the suspects offered the defendant in a civil case to negotiate with a judge of one of the district courts in Odesa for a favorable ruling.
The price for such a "service" was set at $10,000.
According to the case materials, the first part of the bribe was to be paid by the defendant as an "advance" before the case was heard, and the second part directly before the court's decision was made.
SSU and NABU officers documented the crimes committed by the scheme's organizers and caught them "in the act" right after the last part of the illicit benefit was transferred.
Currently, the suspects have been notified of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 15, Part 4 of Article 27, and Part 3 of Article 369 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (completed attempt to incite the offer, promise, or provision of an illegal benefit to an official).
The issue of choosing a preventive measure is being resolved. The investigation continues to hold all participants in the judicial scheme accountable.
The offenders face up to 8 years in prison with asset forfeiture.
The operation was conducted under the procedural guidance of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.