“Specialized” in extorting funds from entrepreneurs of the region - a criminal group was exposed in the Ternopil region
A 42-year-old resident of the region, who has the status of a so-called “spy” for one of the regions of the region, was previously convicted of organizing the criminal group. He involved three other previously convicted men in illegal activities.
Operatives of the Strategic Investigation Department in Ternopil region of the National Police and investigators of the regional police stopped the activities of intruders. This group “specialized” in extracting funds from entrepreneurs, in particular - and those engaged in passenger transportation to European countries. If those involved were refused, threatened with physical abuse or created artificial obstacles in their work.
Thus, in July 2021, law enforcement officers established that members of the criminal group demanded 60 thousand hryvnias from an entrepreneur. Threats of physical abuse forced him to give them 30 thousand hryvnias. In the future, the victim paid 2000-3000 hryvnias in order to work without hindrance.
Today, on September 24, operatives, investigators with the force support of KORD simultaneously detained three defendants while receiving another “tranche” from the victim - 10 thousand hryvnias. In addition, the fact of extorting $3,000 from another entrepreneur was documented.
During the investigation, the police received materials indicating the involvement of a group of persons in committing at least 10 facts of extortion of funds from local businessmen. The offenders were detained in accordance with Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
The issue of notifying all members of the group about suspicion under Part 2 of Art. 189 (extortion) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and choosing preventive measures for them is resolved.
The sanction of the article provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of three to seven years. The procedural guidance in the pre-trial investigation is carried out by the Ternopil Regional Prosecutor's Office.
Comment: Natalia Kalinovskaya - spokesperson of the SSR NPU
