Former police chief to stand trial for stealing physical evidence worth more than 13 million hryvnias
Employees of the State Bureau of Investigations have completed a pretrial investigation into Yuriy Rybiansky, the former head of one of the investigative units of the Darnytskyi Police Department in Kyiv. According to the investigation, the former official stole physical evidence worth more than 13 million hryvnias, and after being exposed, went into hiding in the Rivne region, setting up a hideout in the forest.
It has been established that during the investigation of the criminal case, the official embezzled money that had been seized as physical evidence. Instead of transferring the funds to a bank for safekeeping, as required by law, he kept the money for himself.
“Initially, he took possession of over 10,000 U.S. dollars and more than 10,000 hryvnias, which had been seized during a personal search of the detainee. Later, he embezzled another more than 304,000 U.S. dollars, more than 34,000 euros, and more than 850,000 hryvnias, which his subordinate had seized during an authorized search. Under the pretext of transferring the money for safekeeping, he took it, but the funds never reached the bank,” the statement reads.
The total value of the embezzled evidence exceeded 13.6 million hryvnias.
After being exposed, the former law enforcement officer fled and went into hiding in a forest in the Rivne region. To this end, he had purchased a minibus, a tent, a charging station, a supply of food, and other equipment in advance.
It was during searches of the vehicle and his hiding place that SBI officers discovered and seized over 13.6 million hryvnias in foreign currency, which is part of the embezzled evidence.
In addition, 84 live rounds of various calibers were seized from the defendant’s office, which he had been illegally storing, and during searches of the vehicle and tent, cocaine was found, which, according to the investigation, he had purchased and stored for his own use.
The former law enforcement officer will be tried for embezzlement of another person’s property on an especially large scale through abuse of official position (Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), illegal handling of live ammunition (Part 1 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), and the illegal acquisition and possession of narcotic drugs without the intent to sell (Part 1 of Article 309 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The penalties under these articles provide for up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
Source: State Bureau of Investigations
Read:
The State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) exposed a military officer for the clandestine sale of assault rifles, grenades, and a military drone
Head of the Kamin-Kashirsky District Police Department Detained for Bribery — Media
A mother and daughter were detained in Pervomaisk for a sham marriage scheme
