In Odesa region, the SSU conducted a special operation to detain four members of a criminal group. They intimidated, terrorized and kidnapped the residents and visitors of Yuzhne.

Allegedly, the group consisted of the criminals from a Transcaucasian country. Creating conflicts, they extorted large sums of money and property from the victims. To force people to pay, the perpetrators used psychological pressure and physical violence.

They intended to kidnap a local resident. Threatening to kill him,
the perpetrators tried to compel the man to re-register a land plot for allegedly paying off a non-existent debt. Market price of the land is circa UAH 200,000 (USD 7,500).

SSU officers established the location of all group members and detained them. During the special operation, the perpetrators were transporting the owner of the land plot in the car trunk. The owner was tortured.

The investigation is ongoing to establish other facts of extortion and to bring to justice all the individuals involved in the illegal actions.

The operation was carried out jointly with investigators of the National Police under the supervision of the regional Prosecutor's Office.