Director in Kherson sentenced to 9 years and banned from public

A principal in Kherson region was sentenced to nine years in prison for collaborating with the occupiers. The court also confiscated his property and deprived him of the right to hold positions in government and education for 15 years.

This was reported by the Center for Investigative Journalism with reference to the court's verdict.

Anatoliy Semenov, 56, director of Genichesk Lyceum No. 4 in Kherson region, was found guilty of collaboration. The Kherson City Court sentenced him in absentia to nine years in prison with confiscation of all his property.

According to the investigation, Semenov voluntarily went over to the side of the occupiers: he headed the seized lyceum, which was renamed Genetic School No. 4, and switched the teaching to Russian. He also took part in the unveiling of a mural depicting the liquidated propagandist Daria Dugina, a story that was actively disseminated by the Russian media.

According to eyewitnesses, in 2022, Semenov convened the staff and offered to work for the occupation authorities. Most of the teachers agreed, after which the Russian flag was hung over the school.

In addition to imprisonment, Semenov was deprived of the right to hold public office and work in education and childcare for 15 years. The sentence has not yet entered into force.

According to YouControl, Semenov previously headed Novooleksiyivka Lyceum No. 1, headed the education department of the Genichesk District State Administration, and since 2014 has been the director of Genichesk Lyceum No. 4, where he officially remains the head.

Also in Kherson region, the soldier was notified of suspicion for disclosing information about the positions of the Armed Forces and for leaving the unit without permission. In October 2024, he filmed a video with operational data, including maps and markings, on his cell phone. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

Oleh Belyaev, a resident of Odesa, convicted of aiding and abetting Russia, collaboration and kidnapping, spoke about his activities during the pro-Russian riots and expressed his belief that the war against Ukraine was "provoked." The collaborator also confirmed his participation in the storming of the Interior Ministry building in Odesa in 2014.

Анна Бальчінос