In Odesa, law enforcement agencies arrested a physician from a municipal medical institution who demanded 1600 USD from a patient for assistance in obtaining group III disability and expediting medical examinations.
According to the investigation, a citizen approached the neurologist, who is the head of the neurology and psychiatry department and part of the cardio-neurological expert team at one of the city's hospitals, seeking advice on the procedure for undergoing examinations and determining disability status. The medical worker agreed to 'help' only for a monetary reward. For processing group III disability and speeding up the examination appointment, she demanded 1600 USD.
The man reported the issue to law enforcement. Investigators from the Odesa region police department, together with the Security Service of Ukraine, uncovered and documented the illegal activities of the 56-year-old woman.
The doctor received the agreed amount from the patient in several parts. Following this, police arrested her under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. During authorized searches of her office and residence, law enforcement seized cash, mobile phones, and other evidence. The court placed a freeze on the seized assets.
With sufficient evidence, investigators notified the doctor of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — receiving unlawful benefits by an official using their position, combined with extortion.
The article's sanctions envisage a prison sentence of up to 10 years with the deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in specific activities for up to three years and confiscation of property.
The court set a preventive measure in the form of round-the-clock house arrest.
Pre-trial investigation continues under the procedural guidance of the Odesa regional prosecutor's office.