The Security Service of Ukraine dismantled a gang of extortionists led by a local council member in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
The Security Service of Ukraine, in collaboration with the prosecution, has neutralized an organized group that instilled fear in the residents of the Dnipropetrovsk region. The leader of the gang turned out to be a deputy from one of the local councils, who was arrested in Dnipro.
This information was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing the press service of the SBU.
According to the investigation, the criminals demanded money from entrepreneurs, and in case of refusal, they kidnapped, tortured, and threatened them with death. One of the victims was a soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who is defending Ukraine on the frontline. The criminals attempted to extort 2.5 million dollars from him.
The incident occurred while the soldier was heading to his unit's base. A group in three vehicles stopped his car, abducted the victim right in the middle of the road, and took him to a forest area. There, for an hour, they beat him and threatened him with death. Later, the man was confined in a prepared location, where they demanded money and a re-registration of his business.
The leader of the group was apprehended by SBU officers during another round of threats against the soldier. During searches, law enforcement seized firearms and cash, likely obtained through illegal means.
The group leader has already been notified of suspicion under Part 4 of Article 189 (extortion with threats of violence committed by an organized group during martial law) and Part 2 of Article 146 (kidnapping). He and his accomplices face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
Currently, the investigation is ongoing to hold all members of the gang accountable.
1 2 3 4 5 Photo: The SBU in the Dnipropetrovsk region has neutralized a gang of racketeers led by a local deputy (t.me/SBUkr)
Previously, the SBU neutralized an agent-combat group of the GRU in Kharkiv, which was involved in terrorist acts and spying on Ukrainian military personnel.