The SSU detained a suspected deputy: "extorted" 2.5 million dollars from a mobilized businessman

The SSU detained a suspected deputy: "extorted" 2.5 million dollars from a mobilized businessman

Law enforcement officers detained a local council deputy in Dnipropetrovsk region and announced suspicion of illegal deprivation of liberty and extortion of 2.5 million USD from a military serviceman.

This is reported by the SSU, Office of the Prosecutor General.

Yuriy Pryshedko

photo from open sources 

According to a UP source, the case involves Yuriy Pryshedko, a deputy of the Pidhorodne City Council in Dnipro district of Dnipropetrovsk region.

According to the investigation, in 2021, the suspect wanted to join the activities of an entrepreneur from Dnipro, who was engaged in the construction of solar power plants, and purchased the necessary equipment. Without properly formalizing the acquired power plants and possibly not receiving profits from their operation, the suspect began to accuse the entrepreneur and demand money from him.

Despite the fact that the entrepreneur had mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during 2022-2024, the suspect repeatedly called the victim, demanding the return of money that he allegedly owed. Each time, the suspect changed the amount of the fabricated debt, prosecutors note.

At the end of October 2024, on a highway near the village of Spaske in the Dnipropetrovsk region, the suspect, along with accomplices, blocked the victim’s car and, threatening him with physical harm, demanded the transfer of 2.5 million USD and the re-registration of the company.

After the refusal, the suspect and his accomplices beat the victim for 40 minutes. Then the man was forcibly taken to a building, where he was held for about a day against his will, being threatened with torture and murder. Later, he was released to find the money.

Law enforcement officers detained the deputy during a meeting with the victim following another threat of murder in case of non-transfer of money and corporate rights.

 

photo by the prosecutor’s office

During searches of the suspects, firearms and cash, likely obtained criminally, were seized.

The court chose a preventive measure for the suspect deputy Pryshedko in the form of detention with an alternative of bail in the amount of 1.2 million UAH. Disagreeing with this court decision, the prosecutor filed an appeal.

The investigation continues to bring the deputy’s accomplices to justice.