The Odessa regional prosecutor's office has charged the head of a village council in the Bolhrad district with soliciting illegal benefits for influencing state decisions (part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

According to the investigation, the official demanded $12,000 from a local business leader in exchange for assistance in securing four agricultural land plots, each measuring 50 hectares.

In return for this money, he promised to influence the village council deputies to pass a decision on selling the rights to these plots and transferring them to the enterprise.

The village head was detained after receiving an advance of $3,000. He has been placed in custody with an option for bail and has been suspended from his position.

Measures to uncover the illegal activities were conducted by prosecutors from the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor's Office in conjunction with investigators from the Odessa Regional Police under the operational guidance of the UCR of the National Police.

Note: According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a lawful manner by a court verdict.