In Odessa, the SBU stopped the activities of a criminal group that blackmailed entrepreneurs and residents of the region, demanding non-existent debts.
During special operations in Odessa, an organized criminal group that used coercion against entrepreneurs and local residents was eliminated.
The attackers blackmailed and demanded money from entrepreneurs, including small businesses. If they refused, they resorted to psychological pressure, physical violence and other intimidation.
The main organizer of the group was a local crime boss who was in custody. To carry out criminal activities, he attracted two of his accomplices with a criminal record.
According to operational data, the group members committed several robberies and other serious crimes that endangered the lives and health of citizens.
During the special operation, SBU officers prevented the commission of a crime, detained two active participants and seized unconditional evidence of the group’s illegal activities.
Now all three defendants have been notified of suspicion under Part 3 of Art. 27, part 4 art. 189 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (extortion with threat of violence, committed repeatedly by an organized group under martial law) and are in custody.
The intelligence services continue operational efforts to establish the involvement of members of the criminal group in other similar crimes in the region.
