Ural Men Sentenced to 16 Years for Extortion with Coffin and Pig's Head

Russia - Ekhbary News Agency

Two men in Russia's Sverdlovsk Oblast have been handed lengthy prison sentences, each receiving 16 years in a strict regime penal colony, for an elaborate and terrifying extortion plot. The individuals were found guilty of leaving a coffin, a funeral wreath, and a pig's head, adorned with the victim's photograph, at the home of a third man, demanding illicit drugs and a significant sum of money. This chilling act of intimidation, confirmed by regional courts, underscores the severe consequences for organized criminal activity in the Russian Federation.

The incident unfolded in the autumn of 2023 in Pervouralsk, where the victim, whose name has not been released, initially found himself in legal trouble. According to court records, he discovered narcotics in his rented apartment and kept them without intent to distribute, a transgression for which he was subsequently convicted and sentenced to deprivation of liberty. Soon after his own legal entanglement, he began receiving menacing messages from unknown individuals who demanded the return of the prohibited substances and a substantial payment.

To escalate their threats and instill terror, the perpetrators orchestrated a 'macabre tableau' at the victim's residence. They acquired a coffin, a funeral wreath, and a pig's head, attaching the victim's photograph to the gruesome display. This unsettling installation was then deliberately placed outside his home, creating a profound sense of fear and psychological distress. This level of intimidation, designed to break the victim's resolve, demonstrated a clear intent to inflict severe emotional and potentially physical harm.

The victim, facing extreme duress, promptly reported the threats and the chilling display to local law enforcement. Following his report, investigators swiftly identified and apprehended two residents of Yekaterinburg, a major city in the Sverdlovsk region. A criminal case was subsequently initiated against them, focusing on charges of extortion of money and extortion of narcotic drugs committed on an especially large scale by an organized group, coupled with the threat of violence dangerous to life and health. These serious charges fall under paragraphs "a" and "b" of Part 3 of Article 163 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (extortion) and Part 4 of Article 229 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (extortion of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances).

The judicial proceedings were not straightforward. The Sverdlovsk Oblast courts revealed that the criminal case had initially been heard by the Pervouralsk City Court. However, the initial verdict was overturned by a higher instance court, which deemed that deficiencies had been made during the drafting of the indictment. Consequently, the case was returned to the Pervouralsk prosecutor's office for these shortcomings to be rectified. After the necessary corrections were made, the criminal case was resubmitted to the court for a new review, highlighting the rigorous standards and multi-layered scrutiny within the Russian legal system.

Ultimately, after a thorough reconsideration of the evidence and testimony, the court delivered its final sentences. One of the defendants received a term of 16 years and 20 days in a strict regime correctional colony, while the other was sentenced to 16 years. These lengthy sentences reflect the gravity of the crimes committed, emphasizing the Russian judiciary's zero-tolerance stance on organized extortion and drug-related intimidation. The case serves as a stark reminder of the severe penalties for those who resort to violence and fear to achieve illicit gains. More information can be found at Ekhbary Portal.