Commander of an illegal armed group in Crimea is suspected

The Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol has served a notice of suspicion to the commander of the so-called 'separate mobile platoon 'Sevastopol without fascism'.

This was reported by the Prosecutor's Office of the ARC.

His actions are classified under a number of serious articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, namely: creation of an illegal armed formation, its leadership and participation in an attack on institutions and organizations (parts 3, 4 of Article 260 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine (part 2 of Article 110 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and high treason (part 1 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

According to the investigation, in February 2014, the suspect created and headed the aforementioned 'separate mobile platoon 'Sevastopol without fascism', which was part of the occupier-coordinated IAF 'Sevastopol Self-Defense'. His responsibilities included leading subordinate militants and performing criminal tasks set by the occupation authorities. These tasks included the seizure of military facilities, as well as the identification and detention of pro-Ukrainian activists.

In addition, the 'commander' was directly involved in key events of the occupation: he stormed the building of the Ukrainian Navy Command to prevent the Ukrainian military from resisting the aggression, and also provided security for polling stations during the illegal 'all-Crimean referendum' in Sevastopol. For his activities, he received badges and awards from the occupation authorities.

Currently, the pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the Investigation Department of the Main Department of the National Police in the AR of Crimea and Sevastopol. The suspect faces up to 15 years in prison for the aggregate of the incriminated crimes.

Катерина Глушко