The SBU terminated activities of an interregional criminal group involved in committing felonies. During simultaneous operations, SBU officers detained seven individuals in several regions of Ukraine, four of whom were members of a volunteer battalion.

Allegedly, the members of the criminal group had corrupt ties with law enforcement agencies. Thus, they had access to the documents relating to the criminal proceedings and confidential information about the persons involved. According to the information received, the perpetrators used psychological pressure, threatened violence and physical intimidation to extort money from the “victims”.

The operatives documented the fact of extortion USD 35,000 from two residents of Kyiv region, suspected of committing the crime. To receive money, the perpetrators abducted one of the victims and inflicted grievous bodily harm.

Law enforcement officers detained the suspects in Kyiv and Chernihiv regions after receiving part of the bribe in the amount of USD 8,000 from the victim.

During more than ten searches, SBU investigators found firearms and cold weapons, rounds, means of special communication, cash in foreign currency and other evidence of illegal activity.

All detainees were served suspicion notice of criminal offense committed by a group of persons, extortion, torture and abduction of a person. The issue of choosing a type of detention is being resolved.

The operation was carried out by the SBU Main Directorate for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime, SBU Office in Chernihiv region jointly with the National Police under the supervision of the Boryspil District Prosecutor's Office.