The Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office has sent an indictment to the court against a 31-year-old resident of Izmail, who has taken on the role of an informal leader in the local criminal environment. His predecessor has fled abroad and is wanted internationally as a defendant in a case concerning the distribution of criminal influence.

In addition, the man coordinated the activities of representatives of the criminal world: he controlled the "common fund," monitored compliance with the rules of the criminal world, and intervened in resolving conflicts among "his own." He acted cautiously: he led, organized, but did not personally carry out illegal actions. Over time, he expanded his influence to the Izmail and Bolhrad districts.

It has also been established that four other individuals were involved in the organization and conduct of illegal gambling (Part 2 of Article 203-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The indictment against them has been sent to the court. 

Furthermore, in September 2024, the informal leader of the criminal world recruited accomplices and organized a poker game venue in Izmail, which could only be joined by recommendation "from their own." The profits were partially distributed among the accomplices, while the rest replenished the criminal "fund." In one night, the income could reach up to 1.2 million UAH. 

Previously, the man had already been held criminally liable: in other criminal proceedings, he is accused of hooliganism with the use of weapons, intentional bodily harm, robbery with violence, and armed robbery (Part 4 of Article 296, Part 1 of Article 122, Part 2 of Article 186, Part 2 of Article 187 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

During the searches, equipment for gambling, documentation, as well as 22,000 US dollars, 5,600 euros, and 60,000 UAH were seized.

He is charged with the intentional establishment and distribution of criminal influence and the organization of illegal gambling (Part 1 of Article 255-1, Part 2 of Article 203-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). At the request of the prosecutor's office, he is in custody without the right to bail.  
The pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings was conducted by investigators of the Territorial Department of the Bureau of Economic Security in the Odesa region. Operational support in the criminal proceedings was provided by the Criminal Investigation Department in the Odesa region of the National Police of Ukraine. 

Note: According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner and established by a court verdict.