Head of excise tax department in Sumy region detained on bribery charges

Nikolai Olenich, head of the excise tax department of the Main Directorate of the State Tax Service (Main Directorate of the DST) in Sumy region, has been detained. 

According to journalist Serhiy Seredych, the official was caught red-handed while receiving a bribe of $4,500. An intermediary, who acted as a link in the corrupt scheme, was also detained alongside him. According to available information, the money was demanded in exchange for the issuance of a licence.

Corruption schemes in the Sumy region tax service

This is not the first case of exposing illegal activities among employees of the regional tax service. Previously, the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) initiated proceedings to confiscate the assets of Artem Snezhko, head of the department for combating the laundering of proceeds of crime.