Four members of a gang of extortioners will be tried in Kharkiv — they are involved in several crimes
The defendants are accused of extorting and burning the car of a border guard. The organizer, a 45-year-old previously convicted resident of the region, is further incriminated for establishing and spreading criminal influence in the region.
It is known that the attackers systematically extorted funds from the inhabitants of the region and carried out crimes to order. The co-organizer was a 28-year-old Kharkiv resident who previously worked in law enforcement agencies.
In particular, it was established that the defendants “knocked out” $2,000 of non-existent debt from the entrepreneur. At the same time, threats and even physical force were used. In addition, members of the group are involved in the burning of the car of a border guard officer.
On February 19 of this year, the operatives of the Directorate of Strategic Investigations in the Kharkiv region, the investigators of the Kharkiv District Police Department No. 1 under the procedural leadership of the Kharkiv City Prosecutor's Office No. 2 detained the gang leader and one of its members in the center of Kharkiv. The other two were detained at their places of residence.
Subsequently, all four detainees were informed of suspicions under Part 4 of Article 189 (extortion), Part 3 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 347 (intentional destruction or damage to property of a law enforcement officer) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The organizer is additionally suspected of committing offenses provided for in part 1 of Art. 255-1 (establishment and dissemination of criminal influence), another participant - part 2 of Art. 194 (intentional destruction or damage to property).
The pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings has been completed and the indictment has been sent to court. For a crime, offenders can face up to 12 years in prison.
Department of Strategic Investigations
National Police of Ukraine
