Pre-Trial Investigation Concludes at Rivne Customs: Bribery Suspicions Announced

Pre-Trial Investigation Concluded

According to САП: The pre-trial investigation into a bribery scheme at the Rivne Customs office has been completed. According to a prosecutor from the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, an official of the State Customs Service of Ukraine (SCSU) and other individuals received money for facilitating the customs clearance of imported goods. Two individuals have already been formally notified that they are suspects in this case.

Detectives from Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) have provided the case materials to the defense for review. The official, acting in collusion with other SCSU officers, established an operational scheme at the Rivne Customs office. Money received from businesses for assistance in clearing imported goods was distributed among all participants in this scheme.

Legal Charges Against Officials

The actions of the head of one of the Rivne Customs departments have been classified under Parts 3 and 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Furthermore, on February 16, 2026, an individual who provided a bribe on behalf of two companies was notified of suspicion. This person has been charged under Part 3 of Article 369 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Consequently, the bribery situation at Rivne Customs remains under the control of law enforcement agencies, which are continuing their investigative actions. This case is part of a broader, ongoing effort to combat systemic corruption within Ukraine's state institutions, particularly those governing international trade. The investigation by NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office demonstrates increasing activity by law enforcement in detecting and prosecuting corruption crimes. Given the scale of the bribery problem, such actions represent a significant step toward rebuilding trust in state institutions and improving the country's business climate.