The Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office has reported suspicions against a couple for preparing to commit a terrorist act by prior conspiracy of a group of individuals (Part 1 of Article 14, Part 2 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

According to the investigation, a 35-year-old man and his 39-year-old wife were recruited by Russian special services and acted in the interests of the aggressor state. They were offered a reward of between $5,000 and $10,000 for carrying out tasks and for leaving Ukraine.

The suspects were to retrieve a homemade explosive device disguised as a tree stump from one of the parks in Odesa. They were then to install it near the Memorial of the Heroic Defense of Odesa of the 411th Coastal Battery. According to the organizers' plan, the explosion was to occur during the presence of military personnel in the park.

The criminals took the explosives and stored them at home, waiting for further instructions from enemy special services.

Law enforcement agencies timely uncovered the criminal intentions, prevented the terrorist act, and detained the couple. During searches at their residence, mobile phones with evidence of enemy contacts and the explosive device were seized.

At the request of the prosecutor's office, the suspects are in custody.

The pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings is being conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine in the Odesa region.

Note: According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner and established by a guilty verdict of the court.