A group of citizens is accused in committing extortion and fraud in Osh

A criminal case over organized group is heard in City Court in Osh .

On the dock were four members and the leader of the group, villager of Karasuu rayon, who had been brought to the court twice before. Other members of the group also have previous convictions. Investigatory Department of the Regional Administration Struggle against Organized Crime (“RASAOC”) accused each prisoner at the bar in committing Articles 166 (fraud) and 70 (extortion) of the Criminal Code KR.

Among victims are four local businessmen, one of them according to the investigation was taken away a car OPEL, another had to pay 5 thousand soms daily, refused to witness against the defendants. As one of the accused noted they had been suffering from pricks of the conscience. Only one victim, despite pressure from defendants' supporters executed his civic duty. RASAOC from the beginning of his statement rendered a 24-hour protection of him and his family.

From the very beginning of the trial court building was surrounded by defendants' supporters who pressured upon victims and witnesses that were not in court being afraid for their and relatives' lives since the investigatory bodies had not taken any measures in guaranteeing safety to them. Moreover, the prosecutor and the investigatory bodies gave video materials which were not watched due to lack of equipments. Later the video recorder was brought by one of the victims to confirm his status.

During judicial examination details of criminal group activity became known. The leader was chosen by criminal groups, “criminal community”. According to the investigation members of group took themselves the responsibility of the executors, collecting debts from the borrowers, whose creditor disbelieving in effectiveness of the court decision addressed the criminals.

At the end of the pleadings prosecutor asked the judge to imprison the head of the group for 18 years, and the members for 15 years.