In the Czech Republic, a Transcarpathian extortionist was detained at Ukraine's request.

The leader of a gang of racketeers from Transcarpathia has been detained in the Czech Republic while attempting to escape Ukrainian justice by fleeing to the EU. This was reported by the press service of the Security Service of Ukraine on Monday, November 18. The arrest was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police, Interpol, and law enforcement agencies of the Czech Republic. Members of the gang demanded money from local residents under fictitious pretenses, threatening physical harm in case of refusal. "It has been documented that in 2021, the gang leader extorted $110,000 from a Transcarpathian entrepreneur for a non-existent debt. At that time, law enforcement apprehended the racketeer and informed him of the suspicion of committing a crime," the SBU reminded. However, it is noted that on the eve of the court hearing, the perpetrator fled abroad under the guise of a "sudden" health deterioration and remained in hiding for an extended period. Subsequently, the suspect was placed on the international wanted list. During a series of coordinated operations, the racketeer was apprehended in the capital of the Czech Republic. His extradition to Ukraine is currently planned, where he will face trial for crimes committed under part 2 of Article 189 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (extortion committed by a group of individuals with prior agreement, accompanied by threats of murder or causing serious bodily harm). The perpetrator faces up to seven years in prison.