Prosecutors of the Office of the Attorney General, together with investigators from the Main Investigation Department and operational staff from the Department of Strategic Investigations of the National Police of Ukraine, have uncovered the activities of an individual who held the status of a so-called "polozhenets" – a subject of increased criminal influence. 

He has been notified of suspicion for creating and spreading criminal influence (part 3 of Article 255-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), as well as extortion in particularly large amounts (part 4 of Article 189 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The court granted the request for a preventive measure – detention without the right to bail.

It has been established that the suspect, having received the status of a subject of increased criminal influence - "polozhenets," established and spread criminal influence in society, as well as in places of deprivation of liberty in the southern regions entrusted to him.

According to the investigation, he coordinated the activities of controlled individuals, collected funds to replenish the criminal "common fund," developed "rules of conduct" for convicts, and monitored the activities of criminal groups.

In addition, two other individuals, who are being held in places of deprivation of liberty, were involved in the illegal activities. Under the direction of the suspect, they spread criminal influence in places of deprivation of liberty and extorted money from citizens with threats of violence. The fact of extortion and receipt of funds in particularly large amounts has been established. They have also been notified of suspicion for extortion (part 4 of Article 189 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

During the pre-trial investigation, 49 searches were conducted in the territories of Kyiv, Odesa, Vinnytsia, and Mykolaiv regions – at the residences of the suspects, in places of their detention, as well as in vehicles.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

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 guilty verdict of the court.