The State Investigation Bureau (SIB) has launched a pre-trial investigation into a criminal case based on a journalistic probe by the Bihus.info investigative group of journalists, SIB first deputy director Olha Varchenko has said on Facebook.
"Judging by the contents of the journalistic investigation, a group of people acting in collusion discussed possible preparations and transfer of money in the form of an illegal reward to law-enforcement officials to settle the issue of not holding a pre-trial investigation and not holding them criminally punishable," she said.
If the officials are proven guilty, they face up to 10 years in prison and property confiscation.
She added that the pre-trial investigation is underway.
The final episode of the journalistic investigation published on 11 March alleges that people involved in the scandal with defence procurement for years have been "settling issues" with the State Fiscal Service, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Military Prosecutor's Office and even the National Anticorruption Bureau of Ukraine for money.