In Kherson region, the SSU Internal Security Department prevented a contract murder. During a special operation, an organizer was detained, who planned to kill a local farmer for USD 40,000 reward.

According to findings, another local farmer hired a killer to eliminate the competitor in growing crops in order to strengthen his own position in the region.

However, the contract killer, realizing the public danger, informed the SSU on the farmer’s criminal intent.

Law enforcement officers detained the organizer while transferring the last tranche of the reward.

The issue of serving a suspicion notice of the contract murder is being resolved. A type of detention is being chosen.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Main Department of Internal Security jointly with the investigators the National Police under the supervision of the Prosecutor General's Office.

Note: Under Art. 62 of the Ukrainian Constitution, defendants in criminal cases are presumed to be innocent and shall not be subject to criminal punishment until their guilt is proved through legal procedure by a court verdict.