The National Police exposed a scheme of “monopolization” of funeral services for the burial of dead soldiers in Kryvyi Rih

The National Police of Ukraine exposed a criminal organization that established control over funeral services in Kryvyi Rih (Dnipropetrovsk region), in particular, over the transportation of the bodies of dead servicemen and burials. About this informs press service of the National Police.

“Thanks to the connections of the leader of the organization – the director of the utility company – in the city council, tenders for services for the transportation of the bodies of fallen servicemen, as well as the maintenance of cemeteries, were won by companies under his control.” – says the message.

As of now, nine members of the criminal group have been detained, and its organizer – an official of a utility company – has left the country. As the investigation established, the organizer involved a number of private companies, entrepreneurs, city council officials and civilians in the scheme.

“In general, they had three separate directions: transportation of the bodies of fallen (deceased) servicemen and services related to burial, maintenance of cemeteries and repair works of public facilities, for example, parks and squares.” – said the police.

The conditions of the tenders were prescribed for specific enterprises, which guaranteed them victory.

“In order to steal money from the budget, fictitious data were entered into official documents not only regarding the volume of work performed, but also overestimated the cost of one kilometer of long-distance transportation of the bodies of dead (deceased) servicemen.” – says the message.

The criminal scheme, according to police estimates, brought the participants tens of millions of hryvnias in illegal profits. The amount of appropriated funds exceeded 7 million hryvnias only under several contracts. The money received was spent on cars and real estate.

During the investigation, the law enforcement officers conducted 77 searches — in the office premises of utility companies, offices, and at the residences of the suspects. Over 1 million hryvnias, 68 thousand US dollars, 28 thousand euros, financial documents, drafts, phones, as well as eight cars and a motorcycle. So far, nine persons involved in the case have been charged with suspicion, they face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

“We are talking about a 41-year-old entrepreneur, directors of companies, the head of the department of the utility company, the head of the department of the Kryvorizka City Council and the employees of the LLC. The leader of the criminal organization was informed of the suspicion in absentia, since he went abroad at the beginning of March.”, the police clarified.