Immediately after accepting a bribe, the suspect was detained. He faces up to 10 years of imprisonment with property confiscation.

The illegal actions of the official were uncovered by the Strategic Investigations Department in the Odessa region and investigators from police station No. 2.

According to the investigation, a local woman approached the head of one of the departments of the Odessa City Council for advice on obtaining a permit for her mother to trade on the coast.

The official informed the visitor that she would receive the necessary documents if she "compensated" him. He demanded a "reward" of $1500, warning that without payment, the entrepreneur could not trade in that area.

Police detained the perpetrator in the act after he received the illicit benefit in his car. To conceal the bribe, he instructed the woman to place the money in a box with alcohol. Investigators seized the money along with the official's mobile phone and car as evidence.

After collecting sufficient evidence, law enforcement announced the suspect was charged under part 3 of article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for receiving illegal benefits in exchange for actions performed using his position.

The maximum penalty for this crime is 10 years of imprisonment and disqualification from holding certain positions for up to three years, along with property confiscation. A decision is currently pending regarding the suspect's preventive measure.

Odessa District Police Department No. 1