Extortion of funds and kidnapping of people under the leadership of a “spy” behind a correctional colony — members of the criminal group were informed of suspicion in Lviv region
The attackers involved individuals in criminal activities, and then, posing as law enforcement officers, demanded funds from them. In order to get the desired money, the defendants kidnapped people and illegally detained them until they paid them the full amount. So far, the so-called “sightseer” and his eight accomplices have been notified of suspicion. They are all in custody.
The activities of the group were exposed by the operatives of the Department of Strategic Investigations in the Lviv region with law enforcement colleagues. Organized and coordinated the activities of the so-called “surveillance” group behind the Lychakiv correctional colony. There he picked up the members of the group from among the convicts. It included four local residents repeatedly convicted of property and drug-related crimes. After their release from their places of imprisonment, they banded together for “work” and enlisted four more local residents. “Specialized” in robberies, extorting funds from citizens, even organized their abduction.
During the investigation, evidence of their involvement in the commission of four crimes was collected: extortion of funds, the amounts of which ranged from 4 thousand UAH to 10 thousand Euro. In order to get the money they wanted, they kidnapped people and illegally held or seized their property until they paid the full amount.
In particular, the offenders wanted to incline a resident of Rivne region to illegal activities related to the purchase and distribution of drugs. To do this, they developed a whole scheme: two represented themselves as sellers of “goods”, the rest - police officers. Later, for evading criminal responsibility for the distribution of drugs, he was demanded 10 thousand US dollars. Another victim had a car taken away to get $2,000 from him.
On the basis of the collected evidence, the investigators of the investigative department of the regional police informed the organizer and the participants of the suspicion. They incriminate the commission of crimes provided for by several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- kidnapping of a person (art. 146); - robbery (art. 186); - extortion (art. 189);
- illegal possession of a vehicle (art.
289).
In addition, the “surveillance” behind the Lychakiv correctional colony was informed of the suspicion of establishing and spreading criminal influence (Art. 255-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
All suspects are currently in custody. For the crime, the defendants can face up to 12 years in prison.
The procedural guidance in criminal proceedings is carried out by the Lviv Regional Prosecutor's Office.
Department of Strategic Investigations of the National Police of Ukraine
