Deputy Minister of Tourism in occupied Crimea may get 10 years in prison

Law enforcement officers served a notice of suspicion to an official of the Ministry of Resorts and Tourism of Crimea, who has been working in the occupation administration since March 2024. He currently faces up to 10 years in prison.

This was reported by the press service of the Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

Under the procedural guidance of the prosecutor's office, the so-called Deputy Minister of Resorts and Tourism of the Republic of Crimea was served a notice of suspicion. He is charged with collaboration under Part 5 of Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which provides for up to 10 years in prison.

The investigation found that in March 2024, acting on the order of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Crimea, the man voluntarily agreed to take the position of the so-called Deputy Minister of Resorts and Tourism, which he still holds.

In this position, he implements decisions on the organization of the work of the occupation agency, exercises the so-called "state control" in the tourism industry and implements other tasks aimed at supporting the functioning of illegal authorities on the peninsula.

In 2025, the suspect reportedly contributed to the adoption of the so-called "regional program for the restoration of combat capability of the participants of the armed forces", which provides for the full rehabilitation of wounded Russian military.

On his initiative, the occupiers are rehabilitated in the sanatoriums of Crimea, after which they are sent back to the front to fight against Ukraine. Since he is in the temporarily occupied territory, comprehensive measures are being taken to bring him to justice for crimes against the state.

Recently, collaborator Sergei Beim and his accomplice were arrested in Moscow on suspicion of fraud. Beim is the owner of a chain of gas stations and a company associated with dozens of businesses in Crimea and Russia, and had close ties to businessmen close to the Kremlin.

Meanwhile, Ukraine will try the Minister of Fuel and Energy of the occupied Crimea, Oleksandr Kharlamov, who headed this department from August to October last year. The investigation found that he continues to serve the occupation authorities of the Russian Federation, currently holds the position of the head of the administration of the Soviet district and actively implements the aggressor's policy, contributing to subversive activities against Ukraine.

Анна Бальчінос