On 6 October, the Security Service of Ukraine reported the arrest in Kyiv of the founder and administrator of a Telegram channel. According to the investigation, he publicly called for terrorist attacks against law enforcement officers and disseminated video material containing instructions on how to make explosive devices. The SBU stated that the operation was carried out with the assistance of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Briefly about the main points
- The SBU has reported the arrest of the administrator of a Telegram channel in Kyiv.
- According to the investigation, the channel contained calls to attack law enforcement officers.
- The SBU announced that it had seized explosives, equipment and ammunition.
- The man was charged, and the channel was blocked.
According to the SBU, this is what the investigation revealed
Pros. according to the investigation’s version, the suspect set up a channel and incited his followers to attack Ukrainian and foreign law enforcement officers using homemade explosive devices. Furthermore, according to the SBU, he published video tutorials on how to make explosives.
The SBU stated that the man had set up a laboratory in his flat to synthesise substances that may have been intended for use in homemade bombs. According to the service, explosive substances, laboratory equipment, computer equipment, anti-personnel mines, demolition equipment and ammunition were seized during the search.
What procedural steps have the law enforcement agencies announced?
Investigators SBU the detainee was informed that he was suspected of Part 2 of Article 258-2 of the Criminal Code — public calls to commit a terrorist act — and Part 1 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine relating to the unlawful handling of weapons, ammunition or explosives.
According to the SBU, the man is in custody and the Telegram channel has been blocked. Comprehensive measures were carried out under the procedural guidance of the Office of the Prosecutor General.
Which details remain undisclosed?
The SBU did not disclose the name of the person detained, the name of the blocked channel, the number of its subscribers or the probable motives. The agency also did not specify the date of the detention and the search — a statement regarding these actions was published on 6 October.
The service is continuing its investigation and is establishing all the circumstances of the case and identifying any possible accomplices. The information released reflects the position of the investigation at the stage of serving a notice of suspicion; only a court can determine a person’s guilt.
