Scandal with “porn offices”: the National Police suspended officials and launched an internal investigation

Police announce “tough response” to corruption

The head of the National Police of Ukraine has initiated an internal investigation into employees of individual regional units who are involved in criminal proceedings for possible “covering up” the activities of a network of so-called porn offices.

The National Police reported that four officials have already been suspended from their duties. Further personnel decisions will be made after the completion of the inspection and investigative actions.

The investigation is being conducted by the SBU and the Prosecutor General’s Office

The department emphasized that they fully support the investigation conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine and the Prosecutor General’s Office.

“Cleansing the system of dishonest employees remains one of the key priorities of the National Police. Any manifestations of corruption or abuse of office will be met with a tough and principled response, regardless of position or rank,” the police said.

Law enforcement officers also recalled the principle of the presumption of innocence – final conclusions can be made only after a court decision.

How the “cover-up” scheme worked

According to the investigation, a scheme to cover up illegal “porn offices” operated in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil and Zhytomyr regions, where prohibited content was produced and distributed via the Internet.

Investigators believe that police officers received a monthly reward for “non-interference” in the activities of such facilities and warned the organizers of possible inspections.

According to law enforcement officers:
— officials could receive about $20,000 per month;
— another $5,000 remained for the intermediary;
— communication took place through closed chat rooms and symbolic designations;
— several transfers of funds were recorded, in particular tranches of $45 and $25,000.

Who is involved in the case

As part of the special operation, the following were detained:
— the head of the Main Police Department in Ivano-Frankivsk region;
— his deputy;
— the first deputy chief of police of Ternopil region;
— the deputy chief of police of Zhytomyr region;
— the driver of one of the MIA units, whom the investigation considers a key intermediary in the transfer of bribes.

According to the investigation, it was the driver who was detained “red-handed” while receiving the next tranche of $25,000.

The official investigation is currently ongoing.