Ukrainian authorities have successfully executed an operation aimed at exposing corrupt practices in the judicial system of Odesa.
As a result of their combined efforts, a local judge and a lawyer were apprehended for selling court decisions.
The investigation revealed that they approached a defendant in a civil case to negotiate a favorable ruling from a judge in exchange for money.
The cost of such a 'service' was set at 10,000 US dollars.
Documents indicate that the first installment of the bribe was to be paid as an 'advance' prior to the case hearing, with the second installment due just before the court's decision.
SBU and NABU officers documented the criminal activities and caught the perpetrators 'in the act' after the final bribe payment.
The suspects have been notified of charges under articles of Ukraine's Criminal Code related to bribery.
They face up to 8 years in prison with property confiscation.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.