Court releases resident of Mykolaiv region accused of treason for exchange of war prisoners

A resident of Mykolaiv region, accused of high treason, was released by the court for exchange as a prisoner of war. The decision was made on the basis of the prosecutor's petition and confirmation of the Coordination Headquarters.

This is evidenced by the ruling of the Mykolaiv District Court of Mykolaiv Region.

The court canceled the measure of restraint in the form of detention for a resident of Mykolaiv region accused of high treason and incitement to hatred. The woman was released from custody to be handed over to an authorized body for further exchange as a prisoner of war.

The decision was made by the judge after considering a motion filed by the prosecutor of the regional prosecutor's office, who requested to cancel the preventive measure, as the authorized body - the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War - decided to transfer the accused as part of the exchange procedure.

The woman, a native of Voznesensk, is accused of committing criminal offenses under

• ч. 2, Art. 114-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - unauthorized dissemination of information about the location of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (during martial law);
• ч. 1 of Art. 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - violation of the equality of citizens based on national, religious or other affiliation.

The accused herself gave her written consent to the exchange of prisoners. In addition, the case file included an official letter from the Coordination Headquarters confirming that the defendant was included in the list of persons to be exchanged.

The court noted that the release of the accused from custody is carried out in accordance with Article 201-1 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. This provision was introduced in 2022 to regulate the procedure for the exchange of convicted persons in connection with the war.

After the measure of restraint is lifted, the accused must be placed under the supervision of an authorized body. Further, her detention is carried out in accordance with the procedure established for prisoners of war.

During the prisoner exchange on May 23, 70 people who collaborated with the occupation authorities were handed over to Russia. At the same time, dozens of civilian hostages illegally held by Russia returned to Ukraine. The exchange took place within the framework of the "I Want My Own" initiative, which provides for the transfer of convicted Russian agents in exchange for the release of Ukrainian citizens.

Анна Бальчінос