A 39-year-old crime boss operating from within a correctional facility in the Lviv region has been formally charged with extortion and exercising criminal influence. According to the official report by the National Police of Ukraine, the suspect, known by the alias “Altai,” utilized his authority to coordinate criminal activities from behind bars. Despite being incarcerated, he effectively managed a gang that targeted local residents.
The suspect, who holds a status of a “tramp” (a high-ranking criminal role) and is affiliated with the overseer of the Boryslav area, orchestrated a sophisticated extortion racket. He forced victims to pay for fictitious debts, demanding thousands of dollars. One specific case involved a victim being coerced into paying $5,000. Despite making initial payments of $500 twice in the fall of 2025, the victim continued to face threats and physical violence orchestrated by the criminal mastermind’s associates outside the prison walls.
Law enforcement investigators managed to track the origin of the threats back to the prison facility. Upon further investigation, the suspect was charged under Article 189, Part 4, of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which covers extortion under martial law conditions. Furthermore, he faces additional charges under Article 255-1, Part 2, concerning the intentional spreading of criminal influence. If convicted, the suspect could face up to 15 years in prison, with the possibility of property confiscation.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges Ukrainian law enforcement agencies face in neutralizing criminal networks that attempt to exploit the wartime situation for personal gain. While the country remains focused on national defense, ensuring internal security remains a critical component of state stability. Investigators are currently conducting a broader check to determine if the suspect was involved in other similar crimes throughout the region. The commitment of the National Police to rooting out such “shadow” influence, even within the penitentiary system, is vital to maintaining order and public safety during this difficult period for Ukraine.