Attorney General Ruslan Kravchenko confirmed that former Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov and several other officials have been served with suspicions. This was stated in his video address.
Kravchenko reminded that on September 30, nine people died in Odesa. In his opinion, the cause was not a natural disaster, but the negligence of officials.
Therefore, the former mayor of Odesa has been notified of the suspicion.
“He held the position for years, knew all the problems better than anyone else, but did not address them,” Kravchenko stated.
The press service of the Office of the Attorney General clarified that the former mayor of Odesa is suspected of official negligence, specifically the improper performance of official duties that led to the loss of life.
According to the investigation, Trukhanov failed to ensure the proper functioning of the city's engineering networks, which for years led to regular flooding of the streets. Despite being aware of the problem, he did not take the necessary measures within his authority for the timely repair of stormwater drainage and drainage systems.
The prosecutor's office noted that on the day of the downpour, the mayor did not organize proper notification of the population and did not prepare civil protection agencies.
As a result of the flooding in part of the city, caused by the incapacity of the stormwater drainage system, nine people died, including a nine-year-old child.
Additionally, eight other officials from the city council and municipal enterprises have also been served with suspicions of official negligence.
Among the suspects are two deputy mayors, the directors of the Department of Urban Economy and the Department of Municipal Security, as well as the director, the head of a unit, and two chief engineers of the municipal enterprise “City Roads.”
The issue of selecting preventive measures and suspending current officials is currently being resolved.
The press service of the National Police reported that law enforcement conducted over 25 searches in the offices of officials and seized documentation, equipment, phones, and rough notes.
The suspects face up to eight years in prison.
