“Based on the materials of the NABU’s pre-trial investigation, the SAPS sent to court the case of bribery of the former mayor of Sumy and the ex-director of the infrastructure department of the Sumy City Council.”, — write: www.ukrinform.ua
As part of the pre-trial investigation, it was established that the specified persons demanded UAH 2,130,000 for the resolution of the issue of establishing by the executive committee of the Sumy City Council for a legal entity a new economically justified tariff for handling household waste and not creating artificial obstacles in the enterprise’s economic activity.
During November 2022 – October 2023, the investigation documented the receipt of illegal benefits.
On October 2, 2023, the mayor and the director of the department exposed immediately after receiving the third part of the stipulated funds – UAH 1.43 million.
Their actions are qualified under Part 4 of Art. 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (acceptance of an offer, promise or receipt of an illegal benefit by an official).
The sanction of the article provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of eight to 12 years with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term of up to three years, with confiscation of property.
Read also: The council released the suspect from bribesDeputy Zadorozhny from the post of chairman of the TSC on fortifications As reported by Ukrinform, in October 2023 NABU and SAP, together with the Security Service of Ukraine, detained the mayor of Sumy Oleksandr Lysenko and his deputy Oleksandr Zhurba for receiving part of a bribe of 1.4 million UAH. According to the SBU, the suspects demanded UAH 2,130,000 from a local company engaged in garbage removal.
Lysenko and Zhurba were informed of the suspicion under part 4 of Art. 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, subsequently chose a preventive measure in the form of detention with the possibility of bail.
On October 5, Lysenko was released on bail in the amount of UAH 3 million.
On January 31, 2024, the Sumy City Council voted for the early termination of the powers of Mayor Lysenko.
Lysenko filed a lawsuit with the Sumy District Administrative Court for his reinstatement.
Since November 2023, the city military administration has been operating in Sumy by presidential decree.
In March 2024, the SAP reported that NABU had completed the investigation in the case concerning Lysenko and Zhurba.
Photo: Society of Sumy