Suspicion of Terrorism: Odessa Resident Approached for a Plot

Under the supervision of prosecutors from the Odessa Specialized Prosecutor's Office in the Defense Sector, a citizen has been charged with preparing a terrorist act (Part 2, Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The investigation revealed that at the beginning of February, a resident of Odessa received an offer via Telegram to organize a terrorist act in Odessa using explosives. The organizer chose the location, time, and targets for the attack. After committing the crime, the suspect was promised a payment of 3000 US dollars.

Following the organizer's instructions, he manufactured an explosive device and arrived at a designated location – a parking lot opposite an administrative building where the specified vehicle was located. To report back, the suspect set up a smartphone nearby that recorded everything on video and then left the scene. On the same day, the vehicle was detonated remotely. As a result of the explosion, a passerby sustained injuries, and several parked cars and the building's facade were damaged.

That evening, the suspect was apprehended by law enforcement under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. A motion is being prepared for his preventive detention.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the investigative department of the Security Service of Ukraine in the Odessa region, with operational support from the SBU and the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police in Odessa.

Note: according to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a lawful manner and established by a court verdict.