A criminal network controlled by ‘thieves-in-law’ has been uncovered at the Khmelnytskyi remand centre
At the Khmelnytskyi remand centre, law enforcement officers have uncovered a criminal network which, according to the investigation, operated under the control of ‘thieves-in-law’ and was involved in extortion, drug trafficking and the coordination of criminal influence amongst inmates.
The operation was carried out by officers from the National Police’s Strategic Investigations Department in the Khmelnytskyi region, police investigators, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and the remand centre’s operational unit, with support from the KORD and ‘Cyclone’ special units.
According to the investigation, the key figure in the criminal hierarchy was an Azerbaijani national nicknamed “Ramin Ganjinsky”, who had previously served a sentence in Russian prisons for serious crimes. After his arrest in Ukraine, he was placed in a remand centre, from where, according to the investigation, he continued to coordinate criminal activities.
Law enforcement officials claim that he had the support of the “thieves-in-law” “Rufo Gyanzhinsky” and “Medvezhonok Gomelsky”. According to police information, the latter participated in criminal meetings remotely.
The investigation documented 14 so-called “meetings”, which were held via audio and video conferences between prisoners in various institutions, individuals at liberty and those abroad. During these gatherings, participants discussed the division of spheres of influence, fundraising for the “common fund”, drug supply, the organisation of gambling, and the exertion of pressure on other detainees.
According to law enforcement, ‘overseers’ were operating within the remand centre, overseeing the facility, quarantine and other areas. Part of the funds received from prisoners was transferred to the ‘thieves’ fund’. In just a few months, over 700,000 hryvnias were deposited into its accounts. According to the investigation, the funds were managed by the wife of one of the ‘overseers’.
Law enforcement officers also documented 12 instances of extortion. Prisoners and their relatives were forced to hand over between 30,000 and 80,000 hryvnias, with threats of violence and the use of mobile communications to exert psychological pressure.
In addition, the investigation established evidence of the organisation of the sale of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances within the detention centre.
During searches of cells and the homes of certain suspects, mobile phones, SIM cards, a Wi-Fi router, bank cards, cash and rough notes were seized.
Five suspects have been notified of charges under a number of articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. ‘Ramin Gyanzhinsky’ is charged with organising and participating in a criminal assembly, extortion and threatening a law enforcement officer. According to the investigation, during the search he threatened officers with a homemade knife.
Charges have also been brought against the “overseer” of the detention centre, nicknamed “Leman”, “Koluchiy”, another “overseer” nicknamed “Kela”, and the leader of the organised criminal group.
Law enforcement officials reported that they are identifying other individuals involved in the operation of the criminal network and the coordination of the criminal milieu outside the facility.
