Belarus reports arrest of organized crime group linked to murders and kidnappings since 1998

Today, at the Belpresscenter of the GUBOPiK of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Investigative Committee reported the solving of a series of serious crimes committed by an organized criminal group, including murders.

The suspects were identified during the investigation of kidnappings in 2019. At that time, a man was twice taken from parking lots in Minsk and held in a basement of a house in the Vitebsk region. The first time he was released after part of the ransom was paid; the second time — after another $20,000 and handing over a car. To collect the money, the victim sold his apartment, garage, and car.

After the arrests, it was established that the group's criminal activities began in 1998. That summer, they robbed a currency trader's apartment in Vitebsk. In September, they attacked an entrepreneurs' office, stealing a safe with money and documents. In October, they extorted money for returning the documents, and after the refusal, detonated a device at the doorstep of a businesswoman's cottage. At the end of December, during a repeat robbery of the office, they shot and killed a security guard with a sawed-off shotgun.

In November 2000, the group, armed with a sawed-off shotgun and a pistol, attacked a warehouse in Vitebsk: they beat the director, his wife, and employees, and stole a large sum of money.

Charges have been brought against the suspects; the cases will soon be sent to court.