In Kyiv, a corruption scheme has been uncovered: a district state administration official demanded $500 for an illegal “service” for businesses
Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), together with representatives of the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office, carried out the detention of a civil servant from one of the district state administrations of the capital under suspicion of systematic corrupt activities. According to official investigative sources, the focus was on Vasyl Binykovskyi, the head of the department for entrepreneurship, trade, and consumer markets of Desnianskyi RDA; however, the name of the detained official has not been publicly disclosed in accessible reports. Unofficial sources indicate that this official established a corrupt scheme that allowed him to receive kickbacks for enabling the opening and operation of trade points in Desnianskyi District of Kyiv without the necessary permits. During the investigation, it was established that to ensure unobstructed access to trade for his sanctioned clients, the official demanded a monthly payment of $500 from each trading point. If a business owner operated multiple points in the district, a discount—about $100 per additional location—was possible. According to investigative materials received, the suspect repeatedly accepted illegal payments from entrepreneurs, totaling over 115,000 hryvnias. This occurred during face-to-face meetings, where the official received money in exchange for “services”—securing permits for illegal trade activities without the proper documentation. The detention took place “hot” — during an ongoing exchange of money as part of an operation to expose the corruption scheme. The investigation and prosecutors managed to document this criminal mechanism and seized funds that confirm the systematic and extensive nature of the abuses. The court, as a preventive measure, chose detention for the suspect with the possibility of bail. This decision allows law enforcement to initiate a comprehensive pre-trial investigation and take further measures to hold not only this official accountable but also all others who could be involved in the corruption scheme. It should be noted that such abuses among high-ranking officials in Kyiv are becoming increasingly relevant, as corruption in the sphere of permits and licensing procedures continues to create serious barriers to honest and transparent business. The dismantling of this corruption scheme is yet another step towards streamlining administrative procedures and strengthening public trust in law enforcement. At the same time, law enforcement officers emphasize that the fight against corruption in the capital and the region continues, and any violation of the law will receive appropriate response.