Ukraine’s chief army psychiatrist arrested on $1m corruption charge

Ukraine has detained its army’s chief psychiatrist for alleged “illegal enrichment” charges related to earnings of more than $1m (£813,000) accrued since the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

In a statement, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said the man sat on a commission 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 cash.

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 false declaration.

Druz was implicated in a similar case in 2017 which saw him fail 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 exchange for issuing exemptions from military service.

Hot this week

Two dead and 11 hurt after car rams into crowd in northern France

Two people have been killed and 10 others injured...

At least 12 dead as wildfires sweep through northern Algeria

At least 12 people have been killed and dozens...

Nigeria’s growing kidnapping crisis: ‘If you started running, they shot you’

Image caption, Fatima says her husband and six of...

Iceland holds knife-edge referendum on EU – and it could be decided on fish

Image source, AFP via Getty Images Image caption, Prime Minister...

Experts’ five tips to make a rented property feel like home

Image source, Getty Images ByYasmin Rufo Business reporter It can be...

Topics

Two dead and 11 hurt after car rams into crowd in northern France

Two people have been killed and 10 others injured...

At least 12 dead as wildfires sweep through northern Algeria

At least 12 people have been killed and dozens...

Iceland holds knife-edge referendum on EU – and it could be decided on fish

Image source, AFP via Getty Images Image caption, Prime Minister...

Experts’ five tips to make a rented property feel like home

Image source, Getty Images ByYasmin Rufo Business reporter It can be...

FDA approves breakthrough drug daraxonrasib to treat pancreatic cancer

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a...

Six essential skills employers say job seekers should have to stand out

One of the big shocks for many leaving education...

Related Articles

Popular Categories