The SSU established that the suspect is the head of Odesa branch of a Ukraine-wide civilian organization. He used his authority and public influence to pressure local businesses for personal enrichment.

The crook extorted USD 600,000 from a head of an agricultural company ‘not to create problems’ for his business.

According to the investigation, the pseudo public figure wrote several fake complaints and petitions regarding reorganization of one of the agricultural enterprises in Odesa in 2019. In this way, he initiated checks by law enforcement authorities.

He also used controlled mass media to create a negative ‘informational background’ around the company’s activities and threatened to publish ‘compromising material’ on legality of decisions and integrity of the company’s manager.

He extorted money promising to stop causing these artificial obstacles.

The perpetrator has been notified of suspicion of extortion (Article 189.2 of the CCU).

The investigation is ongoing.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Odesa Region together with the National Police under the procedural supervision of Odesa Region Prosecutor’s Office.