Officials of the Odessa seaport were exposed in corruption in the paperwork of seafarers
The mentioned officials issued seafarer ID cards to citizens who were actually abroad at that time and could not physically obtain them.
According to the investigation data, in order to avoid mobilization, sailors who were abroad on flights, through their agents, applied to the officials of the Department (service) of the captain of the Odessa seaport to obtain or extend the relevant documents. In the future, officials, contrary to regulations, without the actual presence of persons, entered fictitious information into official documents and independently prepared personal cases of sailors. After carrying out all procedures, issued and signed certificates were handed over to agents, and they already sent them to seafarers abroad.
For this service, officials of the Department (service) of the captain of the Odessa seaport received from 1000 to 3000 US dollars in remuneration. Under this scheme, during February-May 2022 alone, more than 100 identity cards were issued to persons who were actually abroad.
Employees of the Main Investigative Department of the National Police and the Department of Strategic Investigations in the Odessa region of the NPU conducted authorized searches in the office premises of the Department (service) of the captain of the Odessa seaport, business entities and at the place of residence of the defendants. Documents, personal files of sailors who were issued certificates, seals, “rough” records, money were removed.
Pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings is under the procedural direction of the Office of the Prosecutor General. After the procedural measures, the issue of notification of suspicions to persons involved in the “scheme” will be resolved.
Department of Strategic Investigations of NPU
