The Odesa regional prosecution has submitted an indictment to the court against a lawyer and two members of an organized group, who, under the guidance of a member of the Odesa city council, illegally acquired real estate in downtown Odesa valued at over 11 million hryvnias.

They face charges of fraudulent acquisition of municipal property, its legalization, document forgery, and unauthorized construction (Part 3 of Article 28, Parts 3 and 4 of Article 358, Part 4 of Article 190, Part 3 of Article 197-1, Part 3 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The investigation revealed that the council member, who was part of the municipal property commission, devised a scheme for illegal enrichment by registering ownership rights to properties that were directly or indirectly owned by local communities.

He enlisted the help of an acquaintance who was a lawyer and trusted associates.

The accomplices sought municipal premises on the first and second floors in central Odesa, rented them through controlled organizations, and then purchased them at below-market rates.

Subsequently, they expanded the areas of the already purchased premises by including attics and basements and registered ownership rights in the name of fictitious persons based on forged documents.

Some of the illegally obtained commercial premises were converted into residential apartments and sold to unsuspecting buyers.

In this manner, the organized group seized three real estate properties in downtown Odesa and a land plot in the Peresyp district, causing losses of over 11 million hryvnias to the local community.

The accused were apprehended in May, and preventive measures were taken in the form of detention with the possibility of bail.

In the context of the criminal proceedings, the prosecution has filed a civil lawsuit for damages.

Materials regarding the organizing council member have been separated into a separate case, and he has been placed on an international wanted list.

The preliminary investigation was conducted by investigators from the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Odesa region, with operational support from the Security Service of Ukraine in the Odesa region.

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