The prosecutor’s office has sent a criminal case to court against a 17-year-old resident of Minsk. He is charged with extortion involving violence not dangerous to the victim’s life or health, under threat of murder or grievous bodily harm (Part of Article 208 of the Criminal Code).
According to the investigation, the teenager was attempting to collect a debt from another minor. The victim had purchased branded items from an acquaintance but failed to pay the full amount, owing 620 roubles. The acquaintance then decided to involve the accused and effectively transferred the right to claim part of the debt to him.
The accused added 300 roubles to the amount under the guise of “interest” for late payment.
“To demonstrate the seriousness of his intentions, he sprayed pepper gas into the victim’s face. He then used physical force, pushing him and striking him. In addition, the accused seized the victim’s mobile phone and attempted to pawn it,” the prosecutor’s office said.
The young man remains under a written undertaking not to leave the area and to maintain proper conduct pending trial.