Under the supervision of the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor's Office of the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office, three officials from the Southern Interregional Department of Forestry and Hunting Management have been charged with corruption (Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

According to the investigation, two of the suspects, holding managerial positions, devised a scheme to systematically receive illicit benefits from individuals seeking hunting licenses.

They created a mechanism for manipulation during the examination process to obtain the license.

To implement this plan, they involved members of the examination board, responsible for conducting tests and ensuring favorable outcomes.

 «The fee» for successfully passing the tests ranged from 2000 UAH per candidate. Overall, the officials received over 100,000 UAH in illicit benefits, and they were apprehended while receiving another tranche.

Upon the prosecutor's request, they have been placed in custody with the possibility of bail. Measures are being taken regarding their removal from office.

The investigation is ongoing, and other individuals involved in the illegal scheme are being identified.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the detectives of the Territorial Administration of the State Bureau of Investigation in Mykolaiv.

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 legal manner and established by a court verdict.