During a special operation in Lviv region, the SSU neutralized a criminal organization that terrorized and intimidated locals.

The perpetrators acted under the guise of one of the volunteer territorial defence formations.

The SSU established that the group kidnapped, illegally detained and tortured its victims. They also tried to engage in racketeering through artificially created conflict situations.

The gang included over 6 local residents. According to the investigation, they were extorting money from citizens under false pretences. In case victims did not pay, the mobsters used psychological pressure, violence and death threats.

The SSU detained the organizer and active members of the criminal organization when they were extorting payment from a victim.

Six members of the gang have been notified of suspicion under four articles of the CCU:

• 255.1, 255.2 (creation, management of a criminal organization, participation in it);
• 146.3 (illegal deprivation of liberty or abduction of a person);
• 189.4 (extortion under martial law);
• 296.4 (hooliganism).

The court has decided to keep the detainees in custody without bail.

Investigators are verifying the involvement of the group in other serious and especially serious crimes.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Lviv region together with the National Police investigators under the procedural supervision   of Lviv Specialized Prosecutor’s Office in the Military and Defence Sphere of the Western region.