SSU detains deputy from Kropyvnytskyi engaged in racketeering

As a result of a special operation in Kropyvnytskyi, a criminal extortion group led by a current city council deputy has been neutralized. This information was reported by the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU).

Under his leadership, the criminals extorted $92,000 from a local entrepreneur with whom the deputy had a joint business.

The victim was supposed to transfer this amount to the criminals as payment for a non-existent debt to the leader of the criminal group.

SSU officers arrested the deputy in the regional center during the handover of the second "payment."

Prior to this, the Ukrainian security service documented the fact of him receiving the first "installment" from the entrepreneur.

According to the investigation, the gang consisted of local criminals specializing in extortion.

At the direction of the criminal group's leader, its members demanded money from local residents under fabricated pretexts. In case of refusal, they applied psychological pressure, physical violence, and death threats.

During searches at the deputy's residence and workplace, a large sum of cash, presumably obtained through criminal means, was found.

Based on the collected evidence, he and another member of the criminal group have been informed of suspicion under Part 4 of Article 189 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (extortion committed by an organized group under conditions of martial law).

Currently, the issue of applying a pretrial restraint in the form of detention is being resolved. The investigation is ongoing to bring all members of the gang to justice.

The criminals face up to 12 years in prison with property confiscation. Read also: A minibus was confiscated in Vinnytsia region and handed over to the Armed Forces.