Polish law enforcement agencies detained four Ukrainian citizens suspected of kidnapping migrants for ransom. According to the investigation data, the suspects were legally in Poland and organized the illegal movement of migrants across the border with Belarus. The first information about the gang's activities was reported to the police in June after two Ethiopian citizens were kidnapped and a ransom was demanded in cryptocurrency, threatening to kill or sell their organs. After the report, activists received photos of bound and naked men.
The group of kidnappers demanded ransom, using weapons for intimidation, after which they transported the victims to the city of Lubin, where they sent ransom demands to the families. However, the victims managed to escape, and with their help, part of the gang was detained. The criminals fled to Latvia, where they kidnapped three Malian citizens, brutally beat one of them, and tortured him for ransom. The Polish police, together with colleagues from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, identified and detained individuals suspected of these crimes.
The Ukrainians were detained during a special operation that lasted a long time and involved police from several countries. The group of criminals, using violence and blackmail to achieve their aims, is currently in custody awaiting trial.