The SBU reports the neutralization of a criminal group that terrorized residents of the western border guard of Ukraine.
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It is noted that as a result of a special operation in Transcarpathia, the leader of the gang was detained – a current deputy of the regional council, who in the criminal environment has the status of a criminal authority. The SBU press center reported this today, October 7.
The attacker is a longtime associate and godfather of Viktor Medvedchuk, who at one time appointed him as the head of the regional organization of the banned party OPZZH, the SBU notes. — In March 2022, the criminal even planned to become a people’s deputy instead of his fellow party member Ilya Kiva, who was deprived of his deputy mandate.
According to the investigation:
- the detained deputy organized a gang that tried to keep residents of the border region in fear and extort money from them;
- To achieve this, gang members created artificial conflict situations or fictitious “commercial” disputes, and then demanded money for their resolution;
- In case of refusal to pay tribute, the bandits threatened the victims with violence and confiscation of private property.
Thus, law enforcement officers documented that the deputy, together with his right hand – another crime boss – extorted 135 thousand US dollars from a local businessman.
To force the man to give the money, the gang leader’s henchman stole the victim’s car and promised to return it if the entire amount of the fictitious “debt” was paid, the SBU notes.
The deputy and his accomplice were detained by the SBU officers when they were handing over the first part of the money (20 thousand dollars) from the injured businessman.
During a search of the places of work and residence of the deputy and other gang members, material evidence of criminal activity was discovered.
Currently, the attackers have been detained, and a report of suspicion is being prepared for them under two articles of the Criminal Code:
- Part 4 Art. 189 (extortion committed by an organized group under martial law);
- Part 3 Art. 289 (illegal taking of a vehicle).
The perpetrators face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property. The issue of choosing a preventive measure in the form of detention is being decided.
An investigation is ongoing to bring to justice all persons involved in the activities of the criminal group.
Source: Racurs
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