The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has detained the head of the Kharkiv regional branch of the political party “Batkivshchyna” along with several officials from a state enterprise for their involvement in a bribery scheme.
Serhiy Leonidovych Ponomarenko, the arrested individual, is accused of orchestrating an illegal operation in collaboration with the head of the interregional office of the state enterprise “Lisy Ukrainy,” a subordinate, a middleman, and a local party functionary.
Investigators from the SBU and the Office of the Prosecutor General uncovered a scheme where officials demanded bribes from entrepreneurs who won bids for industrial timber procurement. In exchange for these bribes, the officials provided high-quality timber instead of the standard materials specified in the auction terms.
In one instance, the perpetrators requested 1.3 million hryvnias for nearly 200 cubic meters of valuable timber. To conceal their actions, the officials falsified official documents.
All individuals involved were apprehended while receiving the final portion of the bribe. During searches, authorities discovered mobile phones and documents containing incriminating evidence.
The detained individuals face charges under two articles of the Criminal Code:
- Part 5 of Article 191 – misappropriation of property through abuse of office;
- Part 3 of Article 368 – receiving unlawful benefits by a public official.
All suspects are currently in custody and could face up to 12 years in prison along with asset confiscation.
Corruption within state structures has been a persistent issue. Recently, the State Bureau of Investigations (DBR) arrested a National Guard colonel who attempted to bribe medical professionals with $6,000 to obtain a fraudulent disability status and evade military service. The officer was caught during the transfer of the first part of the bribe, amounting to $3,000, and could face up to eight years in prison.
The SBU has arrested a political party leader and several officials in Kharkiv for a bribery scheme involving timber sales. They face serious charges and potential long prison sentences.