“The law enforcement officers reported the suspicion to the former deputy head of the Department of Emergency Services of Ukraine in the Chernivtsi region, who organized the purchase of service apartments, unfit for living, based on a preliminary conspiracy with developers.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Source: DBR, Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor’s Office, OGP
Details: According to the investigation, in 2023 the official headed the competitive commission for the selection of housing, which was planned to be given to rescuers for special achievements during the service. It was about the purchase of apartments on the secondary market of new buildings. However, instead of a fair competition, he negotiated with two developers, effectively bypassing the tender process and creating a mock competition to determine predetermined “winners”.
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As a result, in two years, the administration purchased seven apartments, for which almost 20 million hryvnias of budget funds were spent. After receiving the housing, the employees of the State Emergency Service found out that the apartments are unfit for living: most of the buildings have no communications, and some even have ceilings between floors. Because of this, the rescuers can neither move in, nor make repairs, nor sell this property or stand in a new queue to receive housing from the state.
As the investigators established, the actual condition of the apartments did not meet the terms of the contracts. Despite this, the acceptance-handover acts and other financial documents were signed by the head of the competition commission.
The investigation is ongoing. Currently, law enforcement officers are checking the details of the official’s agreements with developers, as well as the possible involvement of other members of the tender commission and third parties, the SBI notes.
The former deputy head of the Department of Emergency Situations in Chernivtsi Region is charged with embezzlement of property by abuse of official position, committed by a group of persons in a prior conspiracy, under martial law and in particularly large amounts (Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).