Detention of head of Kherson enterprise

SBU exposed head of "Budpostach-STSV" enterprise
The Security Service of Ukraine detained Oleksandr Novokhatsky, director of the Kherson enterprise "Budpostach-STSV". He is suspected of acting as an intermediary in the transfer of "kickbacks" for securing contracts for works in the region.

Extortion scheme and threats
According to the investigation, Novokhatsky demanded 22.5% of the contract value for the opportunity to obtain a contract from the municipal enterprise "Khersonteploenergo". Refusal to meet his demands was accompanied by threats that the entrepreneur would be unable to do business in Kherson.

Novokhatsky was detained by SBU officers at the moment of transferring part of the agreed sum. Law enforcement agencies gathered evidence confirming his involvement in corrupt activities.

Links with local officials
The investigation revealed possible links between Novokhatsky and representatives of the city administration. It is known that he is an alumnus of the same Franko University as Serhiy Orekhov, deputy head of the Kherson City Administration. This raises additional questions regarding the scale of the corrupt scheme and the involvement of officials.

Corruption in Kherson: systemic crisis or isolated case?
This incident became further confirmation of problems with corruption at the level of local government and the business environment. 

Kherson Oblast, which continues to recover from occupation, faces the need for enhanced control over the distribution of budget funds and the transparency of procedures.