An inspector of the preventive activity department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Odesa region has been notified of suspicion of extortion and receiving illegal benefits (part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

According to the investigation, the law enforcement officer established an illegal scheme for receiving bribes from taxi drivers for unhindered movement around the city during the curfew.

For a weekly fee of 100 US dollars from each vehicle, the police officer promised not to obstruct their movement. In particular, he guaranteed the coordination of vehicle lists with the management, warnings about the location of checkpoints and patrols, as well as influence on colleagues in case of a stop.

During the investigation, the receipt of 2500 US dollars by the suspect was documented. He was detained after the transfer of the next portion of funds.

Currently, the issue of choosing a preventive measure for the suspect and his suspension from office is being resolved.

The pre-trial investigation, under the procedural guidance of prosecutors from the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office, is being conducted by investigators of the Territorial Department of the State Bureau of Investigation in Mykolaiv, with operational support from the Security Service of Ukraine in the Odesa region.

Note: according to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner and established by a court verdict.