On February 4, 2020, as a result of pre-trial investigation conducted by the Detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), the Prosecutors of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor`s Office (SAPO) gave a notice of suspicion to the Head of Chernivtsi Regional Council. He is suspected on receiving an improper advantage (Part 4 Article 368 (Accepting an offer, promise or receiving an improper advantage by an official who occupies a responsible position) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The NABU Detectives also gave a notice of suspicion to the entrepreneur on committing a crime under Part 4 Article 369 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Offer, promise, or giving improper advantage to official).
The investigation revealed that in July 2019, the Head of Chernivtsi Regional Council demanded an improper advantage in the amount of USD 400 thousand for assistance in the leasing of the health complex.
The NABU Detectives have recorded several facts on receiving bribes for USD 180 thousand by the Head of Chernivtsi Regional Council from the entrepreneur in August-October 2019.
The NABU Detectives started a pre-trial investigation as of these facts in August 2019.
According to Paragraph 1 of Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine a person is considered not-guilty in commission of crime and cannot be a subject to criminal punishment, until he or she is found guilty by the court.