On May 20, the leadership of the National Police of Ukraine announced the suspension of several police officials as part of an investigation into alleged corruption. This action follows a probe conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Office of the Prosecutor General.
The National Police Chief initiated an internal investigation, resulting in the suspension of four police officers. The agency stated that decisions regarding their future will be made based on the findings of this inquiry.
The National Police emphasized its commitment to cooperating with the investigation and expressed a strong interest in ensuring a thorough and impartial examination of the circumstances surrounding the case. The agency reiterated that eliminating corruption within its ranks remains a top priority, asserting that any instances of corruption or abuse of power will be met with decisive action, regardless of the individuals’ positions or ranks.
On the same day, the SBU and the Prosecutor General’s Office disclosed an operation that revealed several National Police officials allegedly involved in protecting models engaged in explicit online content. According to law enforcement, these officials accepted monetary compensation in exchange for ensuring that the individuals involved would not face legal repercussions for their illicit activities.
Among those detained were the head of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, his deputy, the first deputy head of the National Police in the Ternopil region, the deputy head of the Zhytomyr region’s police department, and a driver associated with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who acted as a courier.
The suspects have been informed of charges under Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which pertains to the acceptance of improper benefits by a public official. The investigation is ongoing, and no comments from the detained individuals or their legal representatives have been made public thus far.
The National Police of Ukraine has suspended several officials amid an ongoing investigation into corruption involving the protection of illicit online activities. This action reflects the agency's commitment to addressing corruption within its ranks.