Former Lutsk Council Faction Head Suspected of Bribery for Construction Project

Corruption Case Emerges in Lutsk

According to САП: The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) have formally notified a former head of a deputy faction in the Lutsk City Council of suspicion. The case involves allegedly receiving an unlawful benefit for facilitating the construction of a multi-apartment residential building in Lutsk. Another individual, who is accused of conspiring with the main suspect, has also been notified of suspicion.

According to the investigation, the suspect and his accomplices-specifically the head of a deputy faction in the Volyn Regional Council and the head of the same faction in the Lutsk City Council-allegedly demanded $30,000 USD from the user of a land plot, a former member of parliament. In exchange, they promised to pass decisions that would provide a legal basis for the construction project.

Investigators documented the transfer and receipt of a portion of these funds, specifically $15,000 USD. Furthermore, these same individuals are accused of receiving an additional $3,000 USD in unlawful benefits from the former MP for a favorable vote on a separate land issue. This vote enabled the development and approval of a detailed plan for the territory, paving the way for the construction of 14 terraced residential buildings in Lutsk on land plots owned by relatives of the former MP.

Legal Charges and Implications

The actions of the deputies have been classified under Parts 3 and 4 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, while the actions of the former MP fall under Parts 1 and 2 of Article 369. The investigation is ongoing, and further details of the case remain under scrutiny. This case highlights the persistent challenges Ukraine faces in combating corruption, particularly in the critical sectors of urban planning and construction. The work of SAP and NABU is central to the country's broader judicial and anti-corruption reforms supported by international partners.

Such incidents underscore significant corruption issues at the local level in Ukraine, particularly concerning land use and construction. At a time when society expects transparency and accountability from authorities, these cases can severely undermine public trust in state institutions. Further investigations may reveal more details about potential corrupt schemes operating within the region.

This recent case in Lutsk is not an isolated incident, as similar corruption allegations have emerged in other regions. For instance, a council member in Mirahorod was recently implicated in a scheme involving a $66,000 bribe linked to land transactions. Such cases underscore the ongoing struggle against corruption within local governance structures in Ukraine. To learn more about this troubling trend, see the full report on the bribery scandal in Mirahorod.