Former Ukrainian port chief sentenced to 10 years over $250,000 bribe

The court also ordered the confiscation of all property owned by the defendant and barred him from holding certain positions for three years, according to the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO).

Prosecutors said the official demanded the money from a private business in exchange for securing approval of a financial restructuring plan for a company undergoing bankruptcy proceedings.

The state-owned port was among the company's creditors, and its approval was crucial to a proposed arrangement that would allow an investor to restart the company's operations on port premises, subject to court approval.

The case dates back to 2020, when investigators uncovered the bribery scheme.

The court also changed the defendant's pretrial restrictions from bail to detention, ordering him taken into custody in the courtroom.

The verdict will take effect after 30 days unless appealed.

Prosecutors did not name the convicted official in their announcement.