SBU employees blocked the activity of a criminal group, specializing in money extortion from Uzhhorod residents.

Allegedly, a group of local four residents created artificial conflicts and extorted money for “settling the matter”. The suspects used methods of psychological and physical impact to make the victims pay.

SBU documented fact of USD 15,000 extortion from a local resident. In case of refusal, the group threatened to kill the victim.

The law enforcement detained the head and three members of the criminal group on receiving regular “tribute” in Uzhhorod City (in accordance with the Art. 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine).

The issues of serving the detainees a notice of suspicion of extortion (P. 2 Art. 189 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and choosing a form of detention are being decided.

The investigation is ongoing.

The operation was conducted jointly with the National Police investigators under the supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office of Transcarpathian region.