Former Tallinn Old Town Bouncers in Court: Assault, Drugging, and Robbery

Harju District Court continued a criminal case in which prosecutors accuse former night venue security guards Ruslan Hrapko and Vladislav Kirilov of systematic violence and robbery. The court was presented with video evidence of assaults and heard crude conversations between the security guards about their victims.

Harju District Court resumed hearings on 1 June in a criminal case involving allegations against former security guards at popular Tallinn Old Town nightclubs of engaging in prolonged and systematic robbery and violence. The prosecution has brought charges against Ruslan Hrapko and Vladislav Kirilov, along with several accomplices.

During the court hearing, recordings were presented documenting assaults, and the security guards' own words were played, shedding light on the scope of their activities and their attitude towards their victims. In one conversation, one of them said: "I was so thrilled, I just won't hit him in the mouth so it won't show. After we'll say he fell on the road." In another conversation, one of the accused admitted: "I was so pleased that I growled at him!"

According to the charges, the men did not operate on isolated incidents but implemented a long-term and organized scheme in which victims were deliberately selected, physical violence was used, and people were drugged. The activities took place under the cover of security services at the nightclubs.

The criminal case has drawn attention in part because the accused individuals worked at popular entertainment venues in Tallinn's Old Town, where they had direct contact with customers. The trial is ongoing.