SSU dismantles criminal group that terrorized residents of Odesa region
The SSU continues to fight against transnational organized crime, which poses a threat to Ukraine’s state security amidst the ongoing war.
As a result of operational and investigative activities in Odesa, the SSU neutralized a criminal group acting on behalf of a Chechen ‘thief in law’ known as ‘Omar of Ufa’.
From russia, the crime boss tried to spread his influence in the Black Sea region of Ukraine.
To do this, he coordinated a gang that terrorized locals and tried to keep population in fear.
The criminals extorted money from citizens, including those under investigation, under false pretences.
If people refused to give money, gangsters used psychological pressure, violence and threatened to kill victims’ relatives.
Direct management of the group was carried out by a local criminal, who was kept in custody in the city’s pre-trial detention center.
In late August 2022, the SSU detained three active gang members, who were operating at large in Odesa.
At that time, the three detainees, including their organizer, were notified of suspicion under the Article 189.4 of the CCU (extortion).
However, while in jail, the gang leader continued his criminal activities.
The criminal imposed a ‘tribute’ on the persons in custody and used the money to support prisoners serving sentences in correctional facilities for committing serious and aggravated crimes.
Even when released from the detention center, the victims had to pay money to the gang’s ‘coffers’.
The SSU has now blocked the offender’s criminal activity and is acting to bring him to justice.
Based on the collected evidence, he was served another notice of suspicion - under the Article 255-1.2 of the CCU (establishment or spreading of criminal influence).
The suspect is facing up to 15 years in prison.
The investigation was carried out by the SSU Odesa Office jointly with the National Police, under the procedural supervision of Malynovskyi District Prosecutor’s Office of Odesa and with the assistance of the Operational unit of Odesa Pre-trial Detention Center.
