Ukraine’s chief army psychiatrist arrested on $1m corruption fee
Ukraine has detained its army’s chief psychiatrist for alleged “illegal enrichment” charges related to profits of more than $1m (£813,000) accrued since the commence of Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
In a statement, the safety Service of Ukraine (SBU) said the man sat on a percentage deciding whether individuals were fit for military service.
The SBU statement did not name him – however, a man called Oleh Druz was previously identified as the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ chief psychiatrist.
The SBU said he owned three apartments in or near Kyiv, one in Odesa, two plots of land and several BMW luxury cars, and investigators searching his home also found $152,000 (£124,000) and €34,000 in liquid assets.
The statement said the man did not declare the property, which was registered in the name of his wife, daughter, sons, and other third parties.
He now faces ten years in jail for the alleged charges of illegal enrichment and making a untrue declaration.
Druz was implicated in a similar case in 2017 which saw him fall short to declare two SUVs and several properties, leading him to be suspended.
Ukraine has long battled endemic corruption.
In May, a Ukrainian MP was charged with embezzling £220,000, while in 2023 more than 30 conscription officials accused of taking bribes and smuggling people out of the country were sacked in an anti-corruption purge.
Last year, the Ukrainian parliament voted to abolish military medical commissions after several officials were accused of accepting bribes in trade for issuing exemptions from military service.