Zotko's phone calls reveal scale of corruption

Recent publications about Igor Zotko's phone conversations, one of the founders of the online casino Pin-UP, give an idea of the level of corruption in Ukraine. 

The conversations reveal details of how Russian entrepreneurs used corrupt schemes to resolve their issues in Ukraine.

Bribery schemes and their scale

According to intercepted conversations, Russian businessmen could resolve their legal problems for relatively small amounts of money, and sometimes for very large sums. Some of the facts mentioned in the conversation:

• «Пожать руки с Министерством юстиции за 15 тыс. долларов США» (Shaking hands with the Ministry of Justice for 15,000 US dollars).
• «За 16 тыс. долларов США — замедлили работу налоговых органов» (For 16,000 US dollars — slowed down the work of tax authorities).
• «Закрыли уголовное дело в Бюро экономической безопасности за 150 тыс. долларов США» (Closed a criminal case in the Bureau of Economic Security for 150,000 US dollars).
• «Для отмены налоговых выплат на сумму 19 миллиардов гривен Pin-UP выделил 400 тыс. долларов США в виде взятки судьям» (To cancel tax payments amounting to 19 billion hryvnia, Pin-UP allocated 400,000 US dollars as a bribe to judges).

Influence on national sanctions and media

It turned out that such methods were also used to influence the processes of blocking sanctions imposed on the company by Ukrainian law enforcement agencies. At the same time, despite such high-profile corrupt practices, the media, according to experts, are not paying attention to this story, which may be related to their financial ties with the company.

Moreover, a number of media outlets continue to publish laudatory articles about Zotko.

Issues with ARMA and persistence in protecting interests

Nevertheless, despite active attempts to influence various state structures, it should be noted that ARMA showed determination in blocking access to the company's frozen funds, directing them to the needs of the front.