The SBU investigators exposed Russian holding group on unauthorized collection of personal data in Crimea, as well as on blocking Ukrainian websites on the peninsula.

During the pre-trial investigation, SBU established that management of the group, which includes a large Russian telecommunication holding group, cut its own telecommunication network to software and hardware systems, functioning in Russian FSB interests.

These systems illegally collect information from telecommunication networks through unauthorized acquiring internet-users’ personal data as well as blocking Ukrainian websites in Crimes.

Within the pre-trial investigation initiated by SBU under Part 5 Article 27, Part 2 Article 110 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, Part 3 Article 110-2, Part 1 Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the president of the holding and the ultimate beneficiary and the lawyer of the group are served notices of suspicion.

The president of the holding is hiding from the investigation in the USA. The citizen of Russia, who was accessary to the crime, is served a notice of suspicion of committing a crime under Part 2 Article 28, Part 1 Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The Prosecutor General’s Office conducts supervision under investigation.

Notice: the Russian holding group includes 15 legal entities headed by a single management. The mentioned holding company provided telecommunication services to Ukrainian state institutions and associations.