The leader of the criminal group faces up to twelve years in prison with confiscation of property, while his accomplices could receive up to five years behind bars.
Law enforcement identified five local residents aged between 23 and 43 involved in the crime, with a 31-year-old man from Donetsk residing in Kyiv as the organizer.
The criminals arranged a meeting at a cafe with a 24-year-old former employee, after which they assaulted him and forcibly took him to an office where they stole his personal items, mobile phone, and watch. Under psychological pressure and threats, they demanded $50,000 for a fictitious debt.
As a result of a special operation, investigators from the Pechersk police department, together with operatives, arrested all participants under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine in the office where the victim was unlawfully held.
Police conducted a series of authorized searches at the suspects' residences, in their vehicles, and at the office, confiscating around $30,000, computer equipment, and five luxury cars: BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, and Infiniti.
Investigators, under the supervision of the Pechersk District Prosecutor's Office, informed four suspects of charges under Part 2 of Article 146 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – illegal deprivation of liberty for mercenary motives, committed by a group of individuals in collusion, while the organizer faced charges under Part 4 of Article 189 for extortion with threats of violence during a state of war.
At the request of investigators, the court placed the organizer in pre-trial detention, while other participants were also detained but allowed to post bail. The suspects face up to five years in prison, while the organizer could face up to twelve years in prison with property confiscation.

Kyiv Police Communication Department