The SSU jointly with the National Police detained another two members of a criminal group, which had been exposed in August in Zhytomyr region.

The gang extorted money from people under false pretences, and in case of refusal to pay ‘tribute’, they took the victims to specially equipped torture chambers in Korostyshiv.

The law enforcement agencies have already identified over 30 families – their victims.

As we informed earlier, a member of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was among the victims. The criminals threatened to injure and then kill his pregnant wife if the soldier did not hand over UAH 190,000.

In August, the SSU detained eight members of the crime ring, including its two bosses.

After that, another two of their accomplices tried to lay low and hide from justice.

However, they later began to approach their victims, demanding that they recant their testimony on the crimes of the detained suspects.

Threatening with physical violence, the two criminals wanted to force several victims to withdraw their statements.

Before the speaking to them, the bandits checked people’s clothes, jewellery and mobile phones for bugs.

As a result of the operation, the SSU detained both perpetrators. During the search, mobile phones and bank cards with evidence of the crimes were seized from them.

One of the apprehended offenders has been served a notice of suspicion under two Articles of the CCU:

• 189.4 (extortion committed with a threat of violence against the victim, committed repeatedly, by prior conspiracy by a group of persons under martial law);
• 386 (forcing a witness and a victim to refuse to testify, give deliberately false testimony by threatening violence).

The criminal actions of the other detainee have been qualified under the same Article. He is also charged with Article 146.2 of the CCU (illegal deprivation of liberty for lucrative reasons, by prior conspiracy, by a group of persons, accompanied by infliction of physical suffering).

The offenders are in custody without the right to be released on bail. They are facing up to 12 years in prison.

The investigation is ongoing.

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