In Odesa, former policemen avoid punishment for extortion

The Prymorskyi District Court of Odesa has issued a verdict in a case involving former police officers - they were accused of illegal detention, searches, extortion and bribery.

This was reported by the Ukrainian Information Service with reference to the court's verdict.

Three former policemen were accused in the case: former operatives from the Odesa police department. They were accused of abuse of power with mercenary motives, abuse of power, illegal detention, illegal search of homes, extortion and bribery.

In late 2014 and early 2015, they created a scheme: they used a dating site to lure a man to Odesa, then detained him without legal grounds, conducted an illegal search, and extorted money under the threat of criminal prosecution.

The victim handed over 52 thousand hryvnias to the police to avoid charges of alleged drug possession.

The court recognized the actions of the law enforcement officers as illegal, grossly violating human rights, and passed a verdict. However, they could no longer be prosecuted: the 10-year statute of limitations had expired.

Кирило Бойко