Yevgeny Smal threatens Denis Kolosov, Kharkiv
In our country, people usually view criminals as bad and the police as good. However, the belief in corrupt law enforcement is growing, and there is little public knowledge about corrupt police officers. A well-known former criminal in Ukraine reached out to a publication for help, claiming that high-ranking police officials are threatening his life.
Denis, it's unusual for someone from the criminal world to speak to journalists. Can you explain why you chose to contact the media openly, without hiding your identity?
I went to the media because I fear for my life. Officials from the Department of Strategic Investigations of the National Police of Ukraine are threatening me. To understand the conflict, I need to share my story.
My name is Denis Kolosov, and I have a significant criminal background. In 2017, I was framed in a case and survived four attempts on my life. After these events, I decided to live lawfully and move to Kyiv and later to Kharkov. However, I am still being threatened by high-ranking crime bosses, who have connections with law enforcement and are targeting me with threats, including murder and fabricated charges.
Can you identify these individuals?</p
Yes, specifically the Department of Strategic Investigations (SID) of the National Police in Kharkiv. The department is led by Mr. Polyansky, who was previously detained for bribery. His assistant, Yevhen Smal, gained notoriety for his involvement in a violent incident at a nightclub. There is no public record of Polyansky's bribery, and Smal's case was covered up.
Eugene Smal
Yevgeny Smal is particularly ruthless, reportedly forcing detainees and convicts to take on false charges and engaging in illegal activities such as driving stolen cars. He uses intimidation and violence to manipulate people and is considered a frightening individual.
—What are they threatening you for and why?
—The DSM officers arrested some extortionists in Kharkiv on April 14, 2021. People I know got detained, and now Oleg Polyansky and Yevgeny Smal are pressuring me because I want to help them with everyday issues. I've noticed that I'm being watched outside, my car has been running continuously for days, and I'm receiving threatening voice messages from hidden numbers on social networks. When the senders see that I've read the messages, they delete them. I made it clear during a call that I won't back down.
I was informed that recently in Kharkov, Smal's associates conducted a large-scale search at the apartments of some of my friends. They were looking for compromising evidence, but found nothing. It's fortunate they didn't plant anything, as they heard that I was contacting journalists.
Oleg Polyansky
—What specifically are they demanding and threatening you with?
—I have my own channel on Youtube and TikTok where I share my perspective on various events. My truth offends police officers and damages their personal and professional reputations. So, they want me to essentially stay quiet and delete all incriminating videos. Otherwise, they threaten to either frame me for drug possession and send me to jail or simply harm me. In my opinion, the latter option is more realistic.
—Why the second one?
“They've tried to falsely accuse me of serious crimes that I didn't commit. The only way to prove my innocence was to pass a lie detector test, which I did in front of the whole country on the STB TV channel. The detector showed that I was telling the truth. The police attempted to manipulate the program recording to fabricate evidence, but failed. Additionally, I don’t use drugs, I don’t drink, I exercise – how could I be involved with drugs?
—What evidence supports what you've said?
—It's a valid question. Unfortunately, professionals are working against me, swiftly covering up any evidence against themselves. So, only my word remains. Whether to believe it or not is up to you. I understand that most people will read and say: “how can you trust such a criminal,” “this is all their own problems,” “what is he trying to prove,” and the like – this is how our society operates. But I wasn't afraid to take a lie detector test once, and if necessary, I can do it again to prove my point.
– What are your goals: protect yourself, create a public outcry, punish police officers?
– Perhaps it may sound dramatic, but I'm also a person and citizen of this country. I want to live here. I want the werewolves in uniform, who act with impunity, to not lead the state during the war and that justice prevails. It's unacceptable to see some who made a mistake and are held accountable, while others do as they please without consequences. How can someone who was imprisoned for bribery hold a high position in the police? How did they even get there? And not only hold a position, but continue to perpetrate lawlessness: illegal alcohol supplies, stolen cars, and drugs. They cover up the cigarette business in the region and support so-called call centers, which are essentially offices that scam people. How are the police any better than those trying to take over our country and impose their own rules? They aren't! We're in a war, trying to present ourselves as an honest law-abiding state, but that's not the reality. I'm not naive, and I know that even after my story, they will continue to hold their positions. But at least people will know who they are and what they are capable of. If there is a stronger public outcry and the leadership of the National Police and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Monastyrsky, respond well, I'm open to a constructive dialogue. All my videos are on my Youtube channel, I won’t remove them, and everyone can view them.
A group of racketeers, which included law enforcement officers, was exposed in the Kharkiv region
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