A Dnipro politician kidnapped a military man over solar power plants, demanding $2.5 million.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has dismantled a gang of extortionists in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, led by a local council member.

https://vidomo.media/rus/crime/1731931146-bil-i-treboval-2-5-milliona-dollarov-na-dnepropetrovshchine-deputat-pohitil-voennogo-iz-za-solnechnyh-elektrostantsiy2024-11-19 07:09:48

A deputy from one of the local councils in Dnipropetrovsk has been informed of suspicion regarding illegal deprivation of liberty with the infliction of physical suffering and extortion (part 2 of Article 146, part 4 of Article 189 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). This was reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, as conveyed by "Vydomo".

According to the investigation, in 2021, the suspect sought to become involved in the activities of an entrepreneur from Dnipro, who was engaged in the construction of solar power plants, and purchased the necessary equipment. Failing to properly document the acquired power plants and likely not receiving any profit from their operation, the suspect began blaming the entrepreneur and demanded money from him.

Despite the entrepreneur being mobilized into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, throughout 2022-2024, the suspect repeatedly called him, demanding the return of money that he allegedly owed. During these calls, the deputy constantly changed the amount of the debt.

At the end of October 2024, on a highway near Spasske in Dnipropetrovsk, the suspect along with accomplices blocked the victim's vehicle and, threatening him with physical harm, demanded the transfer of $2.5 million and the re-registration of the company. After receiving a refusal, the suspect and his accomplices beat the victim for 40 minutes and then forcibly took him to a building where he was held for about a day, threatened with torture and murder. He was later released to find the money.

Law enforcement officers detained the deputy during a meeting with the victim after yet another threat of murder.

Currently, the authorities are identifying all individuals involved in the crime and are considering the matter of notifying them of suspicion.

The suspect has been placed in custody with the right to post a bail of 1.2 million hryvnias. The prosecutor filed an appeal as he disagrees with the court's decision.