Law enforcement officers said the details of the special operation on detention of interregional gang of thieves icons
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KIEV. May 4. UNN. Ternopil oblast police defused a criminal group, which robbed the churches and monasteries of Ukraine. Law enforcement officers found the plant, which was restored monuments of art, and about six hundred items of sacred art, among which more than 450 valuable icons, dated 17-19 centuries. About it reports Department of communications GUNP in Ternopil region, reports UNN.
It is noted that the special operation to detain suspects was conducted jointly with investigators GUNP in the Ternopol area employees of Department of investigation of particularly serious crimes and fighters of special forces of KORD under the procedural leadership of regional Prosecutor’s office.
“Currently we are simultaneously carried out 14 searches in the territory of Odessa and Khmelnitsky and Kiev. During the RAID we seized more than 450 icons. Three of the defendants were detained according to article 208 of the CPC of Ukraine”, – said Andrey rubel, head of strategic investigations NHRIs.
According to preliminary information, in an organized group with signs of crime was composed of seven people. Among the suspects – two natives of Moldova. They organized “business” on the Antiques.
“The suspects during 2018-2020 stole valuable icons from churches and monasteries. They were looking for in social networks and reference information about icons written in 17-19 centuries, went to Church, where the exhibits, examined for the presence of surveillance cameras, inspected the locks and Windows. After that, he took the tools and went on a crime”, – militiamen report.
READ ALSO: From the Ukraine tried to take icons of the 19th century.
States that victims of criminal groups have become the churches of Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Odessa, Lviv and Chernihiv regions.
“Kidnapped almost immediately transported by mail at Odessa. After this, the researchers restored the icons and sold to collectors. Among the clients of the hands of criminals, businessmen, government officials and citizens of Europe. The icons sold through auctions. The cost of art ranged from 150 to 300 thousand hryvnias”, – told the police.
At present pre-judicial investigation. During the investigation it became known that the crimes involved two inhabitants of Odessa region. Six thefts from churches have registered law enforcement officers on the territory of Ternopil region. Among the kidnapped is 15 expensive icons.
“His last burglary the suspects had committed in the night from 29 to 30 April. From the temple of Archangel Michael in the village of Mikhailovka in the Vinnytsia region, they made three icons of 1860 – “Nicholas”, “Mother of God” and “Seraphim of Sarov praying on the stone.” Them directly through the mail sent to Odessa region to implement,” said police.
It was during the latest batch of stolen, 30 seconds after leaving the post office, the suspects were detained.
See ALSO: Odessa region exposed the organizer of the group “black realtors”.
“Today, the investigators proved the involvement of the group to 20 instances of thefts. During the RAID, investigators simultaneously conducted 14 searches in the territory of the Odessa, Hmelnitsky and Kiev areas. Among the seized 700 items of paraphernalia are icons, old books, valuables, as well as 4 vehicles, computer equipment, mobile terminals, radios, notebooks, overalls and means of entry to the premises. Among other things, there are weapons and ammunition. In the house an antique shop in Khmelnytskyi region the police found and seized the stolen icons to the amount of nearly $ 2 million. Now investigative actions proceed. Suspects are checked for involvement in similar crimes committed on the territory of five regions”, – concluded in the police.
The Prosecutor Ternopil region Peter Boyko reported that three members of the group were detained according to article 208 of the criminal procedure code. All three declared a suspect under article 185 part 4 of the criminal code and chose a measure of restraint in form of detention with the right of Deposit in the amount of 1 million 260 thousand, 1 million 200 thousand and 1.1 million.
As reported previously UNN, Ukraine has detained interregional criminal gang which within two years has stolen icons from churches.