In the first six months of 2024, Ukrzaliznytsia lost more than 70 million hryvnias, which ended up in the pockets of criminals.
“The chairman of the union personally approved candidates for the positions of train conductors and conductors and explained the “rules of the game”, and also made decisions on the extension of labor contracts,” the police noted, adding that approved candidates had to join the union and pay dues every month.
This amounted to 350 thousand hryvnia per month from all union members.
According to the first scheme, conductors sold passengers seats in service compartments for 300-500 euros. Depending on the type of train, there were 4-6 such seats in a carriage.
Participants in the second scheme bought tickets for vacant seats before the departure date and sold them to passengers at prices two to three times higher than the official cost the day before the departure of the trip.
The funds received under such schemes were not reflected in the financial statements, but were distributed among all participants. The lion's share was transferred to the head of the trade union.
Investigators have issued notices of suspicion to 10 members of the criminal organization. Their actions are classified as:
– Part 1, 2 and 3 of Article 255 (creation, management of a criminal community or criminal organization, as well as participation in it),
– Part 1 and 2 of Article 364 (abuse of power or official position) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
During more than 80 searches, law enforcement officers seized money in national and foreign currency amounting to almost 5 million hryvnia, cars, draft records, documentation, telephones, etc. /p>
Investigative actions are currently underway to announce suspicions to other members of the criminal group and the issue of choosing a precautionary measure for the suspect is being decided.