The Security Service continues the systematic fight against international organized crime, which threatens the state security of Ukraine in wartime conditions.

As a result of investigative and operational actions in Odessa, a criminal group that acted on behalf of a Chechen "thief in law" nicknamed "Omar Ufimsky" was neutralized.

While on the territory of the Russian Federation, he tried to spread criminal influence in the Black Sea region of Ukraine.

For this, he coordinated a gang that terrorized and tried to keep local residents in fear.

Criminals demanded money from citizens, including those under investigation, under fabricated pretexts. In case of refusal, they used psychological pressure and violence and threatened to kill, in particular, relatives of the victim, whom they promised to "find".

The group was led directly by a local criminal in the city pretrial detention center (SIZO). At the end of August last year, SSU officers detained three active members of the gang who were at large in Odesa.

Then the detainees and their organizer were informed of the suspicions under Part 4 of Art. 189 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (extortion). However, while in the SIZO, the gang leader continued his criminal activities.

The criminal imposed a "tribute" on the arrested, and he directed the received sums to support prisoners serving sentences in correctional institutions for committing severe crimes. Even in case of release from the detention center, the victims had to pay amounts to the criminal "cash register".

The Security Service of Ukraine has blocked the perpetrator's criminal actions and is taking comprehensive measures to bring him to justice. Based on the collected evidence, he was additionally notified of the suspicion under Part 2 of Art. 255-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (establishing or spreading criminal influence). The perpetrator faces up to 15 years in prison.