In Zhytomyr oblast, the SSU has detained a member of Korostyshiv Town Council who was a member of a powerful criminal organisation in the region.

The criminals extorted money from people and, in case they refused to pay, kidnapped their victims and took them to specially equipped torture chambers.

The law enforcement agencies have identified over 30 families who had suffered at the hands of the racketeers.

One of the victims was an Armed Forces serviceman. The gang threatened to injure and then kill his pregnant wife if the soldier did not hand over UAH 190,000.

As a result of an operation in August and September this year, the SSU detained 10 members of the crime ring ‘red-handed’, including its leader, the so-called ‘overseer’ for Korostyshiv.

Now, the investigation established the involvement of a current member of the town council, previously the vice mayor, in the gang’s activities.

The official, along with other perpetrators, abducted local residents and extorted money from them.

After extensive torture of his victims, the man forced them to bring ‘ransom’ directly to the town council building.

Apart from that, claiming he has ‘connections’ in government agencies, the council member ‘warned’ the victims against complaining to the law enforcement.

The SSU documented his crimes and detained the suspect.

During the searches in his home and office, the investigators found:

• a mobile phone, computers and flash drives with evidence;
• records of the ‘debts’.

The official was served a notice of suspicion under two Articles of the CCU:

• 146.2 (unlawful deprivation of liberty, upon prior conspiracy, by a group, accompanied by causing physical suffering);
• 189.2 (extortion, committed repeatedly and upon prior conspiracy, by a group, with a threat of violence against the victim’s close relatives, restriction of their rights and freedoms).

The court is to choose a measure of restraint. The suspect faces up to 7 years in prison.

The ‘overseer’ for Korostyshiv, who is currently in a pre-trial detention centre, was served a notice of suspicion under Article 255.5 of the CCU – establishing and managing of a criminal organisation.

Other members of the group are also charged with committing grave and especially grave crimes.

The investigation is carried out by the SSU Office in Zhytomyr region jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.