The SSU and the National Police have neutralised a criminal group engaged in racketeering in Zhytomyr region.

Every day, the gangsters extorted large sums of money from people under false pretences or through artificially provoked conflict situations.

If victims refused to pay, the criminals kidnapped people and took them to specially equipped torture chambers in Korostyshiv.

There, the racketeers used particularly brutal torture on the victims. The law enforcement agencies are currently checking information on the rape of several women by the criminals.

In the course of the investigation, the SSU documented the fact of extortion of UAH 190,000 from a serviceman of one of the combat brigades fighting at the frontline.

The extortionists threatened to injure and then kill the pregnant wife of the Ukrainian soldier if he did not hand over the entire amount.

As a result of the operation, the SSU detained the gang’s two leaders and six active members on an attempt to receive part of the money from the victim.

According to the investigation, the crime ring was organised by two local offenders. They recruited their acquaintances, who had previously been prosecuted for particularly serious crimes.

During the searches at the suspects’ homes and vehicles, the SSU found:

• a large amount of cash – proceeds of crime;
• unregistered weapons;
• brass knuckles, baseball bats and various bladed weapons;
• lists of victims;
• bank cards and mobile phones used in the crimes.

The detained individuals are to be notified of suspicion under Article 189.4 of the CCU (extortion that caused property damage on a particularly large scale, committed by an organised group under martial law, combined with causing grievous bodily harm).

Court is to decide on custody as a measure of restraint for the suspects, who 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.