Odesa police officers detained for extortion of $10 thousand

Two police officers of the Odesa District Police Department and their accomplice were suspected of extorting USD 10 thousand from a man. They allegedly threatened him with mobilization and criminal liability for drugs.

This is evidenced by the decision of the Peresypskyi District Court of Odesa.

According to the investigation, two operatives of the criminal police sector of the Police Department No. 5 of the Odesa District Police Department No. 1 of the National Police and their accomplice extorted $10,000 from the man, threatening him with mobilization and criminal liability.

Thus, in February 2026, police officers approached the man in a parking lot near his home. They introduced themselves as criminal investigation officers, demanded to see his documents, and ordered him to stay close to them at gunpoint. The man handed over his driver's license, after which the law enforcement officers allegedly began to check him and stated that he was liable for military service and should be taken to the TCC and JV because he had no deferral from mobilization.

Then, under pressure and for selfish reasons, the police reported that they allegedly found drugs in his car. The man explained that it was headache medicine, but this did not stop the criminals. They demanded $5,000 to avoid mobilization and another $5,000 to avoid detention. The man agreed, and his friend handed over the money in an envelope.

In total, the police received $10,200. After the money was handed over, they were detained. During the search, cell phones were seized, which became material evidence. The property seized during the search was arrested. The investigation is ongoing, and all the actions of the detainees are classified as extortion and abuse of office for the purpose of illicit enrichment.

A police captain from Odesa is also under suspicion of organizing a systematic bribery scheme through which entrepreneurs of the Privoz market were paid to trade without hindrance. He was detained after handing over the last bribe.

Анна Бальчінос