The SSU and the National Police have neutralized a criminal group that terrorized residents of Cherkasy. The criminals extorted money from local businessmen under the pretext of payment of non-existent debts.

In just one of the documented cases, the bandits tried to extort UAH 1.5 mln from a co-owner of a Cherkasy-based international passenger transport company.

According to the leader of the crime ring, the victim ‘owed’ this amount to a business partner, who turned to the racketeers for help in returning the money.

The perpetrators then took two cars with documents from the businessman and promised to return them after he pays the ‘debt’.

Trying to apply psychological pressure, the head of the group personally came to the victim’s office and threatened to beat him with a baseball bat he was holding.

Next, the criminal constantly followed the businessman around the city and intimidated him with violence, including against his family.

The SSU detained the main suspect ‘red-handed’ when he received the first part of the payment, USD 20,000, from the victim.

At the scene, the SSU seized firearms and a mobile phone with evidence of the crime.

The detained organizer was notified of suspicion under two Articles of the CCU:

• 189.4 (extortion, committed by an organized group, under martial law);
• 289.3 (illegal seizure of a vehicle, committed by an organized group).

The suspect is in custody without bail and faces up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property. The investigation is ongoing.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Cherkasy region jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.