In Dnipro, three men have been charged with robbery following an attack on a volunteer, the Office of the Prosecutor General has reported. According to the investigation, $11,000 was taken from his home – including funds intended for the purchase of a vehicle for the Armed Forces of Ukraine – along with jewellery worth approximately 100,000 hryvnias. Two of the suspects are also charged with extortion.
Briefly about the main points
- Investigators have reported an attack on a volunteer at his home in Dnipro.
- According to the investigation, 11,000 dollars and jewellery were taken from the flat.
- The two suspects are also suspected of having extorted 10,000 dollars over a prolonged period.
- One of the suspects was arrested whilst handing over the money.
- One suspect is being held in custody without the right to bail.
The investigation’s account of the attack and the stolen property
Pros. data During the investigation, the suspects learnt that the volunteer had received money to buy a car for the military. They went to his home, dragged him out of his flat by force, beat him up and broke into the property.
Law enforcement officials believe that the attackers made off with 11,000 US dollars. Among these funds were funds earmarked for the purchase of a vehicle for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Furthermore, according to the investigation, jewellery with an estimated value of 100,000 hryvnias was taken from the flat.
Suspected extortion and investigative measures
Following the attack, according to the investigation, the two suspects demanded a further 10,000 dollars from the victim for an allegedly non-existent debt. Over the course of several months, they threatened the man with violence and demanded money.
One of the suspects was arrested whilst handing over the money. During eight searches in Dnipro, law enforcement officers seized cash, mobile phones and other material evidence. Among those involved is a resident of Pavlohrad, whom investigators describe as having multiple previous convictions and links to the criminal underworld.
Which offences are the suspects charged with?
All three men have been charged under Part 4 of Article 187 of the Criminal Code — robbery. Two of them are also charged under Part 4 of Article 189 of the Criminal Code — extortion. Under the current Code, the penalty for such a robbery offence is between eight and 15 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property, and for extortion, between seven and 12 years with confiscation.
One of the suspects is in custody without the right to bail. A request for a pre-trial measure is still being considered in relation to the other suspect, whilst the third is already in custody in connection with another criminal case. Only a court can determine the guilt of all those involved: until a conviction is handed down, they are presumed innocent.
