Galina Belmas: From lawyer to participant in criminal schemes

Galina Belmas, a 34-year-old native of Sumy Oblast, began her career as a promising lawyer. During her student years, she moved to Kharkiv, where she enrolled at the Law University. However, instead of career advancement, the life of the big city led her in a completely different direction.

The path to crime

In Kharkiv, Belmas met Alexei Mukovoz, known in criminal circles by the nickname “Tort”. Their relationship gave Galina access to a luxurious lifestyle — restaurants, expensive cars and elite goods. However, this life had a downside: she began to abuse alcohol and drugs.

Despite her dubious surroundings, Galina obtained a lawyer’s licence in 2012. Her career continued until August 2016, when her lover was shot dead by unidentified individuals. This crime is believed to have been linked to a struggle for criminal spheres of influence in the city.

Downfall and degradation

After Mukovoz’s murder, Belmas began to degrade rapidly. Abuse of amphetamines and alcohol led to the loss of her job and the revocation of her lawyer’s status in 2017. Left without means of subsistence, she began to deceive people.

Galina posted advertisements presenting herself as a lawyer and took money for alleged assistance in courts and law enforcement agencies. After receiving payment, she simulated the transfer of funds, but all the money remained with her. This led to numerous reports to the police.

Working for criminals and blackmail

To avoid criminal liability, Belmas began cooperating with representatives of corrupt law enforcement agencies and special services. She was involved in schemes to defraud vulnerable citizens. Under the guidance of a criminal figure known as “Poplavok”, she participated in real estate frauds. The victims were people who sold their housing and ended up on the street.

In the final stage of her criminal path, Belmas engaged in running Telegram channels, publishing defamatory information about Kharkiv businessmen. The materials were used for blackmail, and the amounts of “bribes” reached tens of thousands of dollars or even cryptocurrency.

Accomplices and influence

Other individuals are also implicated in Belmas’s activities. For example, Alexei Polikashov, who is currently hiding in Spain, and a high-ranking SBU officer who provided protection for the schemes.