Former head of Kherson SIZO is on trial in Odesa on suspicion of treason

After the de-occupation of Kherson in November 2022, Ukrainian investigators began investigating cases of collaboration with the enemy among local officials. One of the defendants is the former head of the Kherson pre-trial detention center, Ihor Huryakov, who is accused of high treason and collaboration with the occupiers.

This was reported by the Center for Public Investigations.

In mid-May 2022, the occupiers kidnapped the then acting head of the Kherson Detention Center, Ihor Huryakov, and his deputy, Yevhen Usachov. This was reported on Facebook by Gayane Hovhannisyan, who at the time headed the press service of the Kherson City Council.

Subsequently, Russian media disseminated a video in which Ihor Guryakov calls on his subordinates to continue performing their duties, acknowledges cooperation with the SBU, and reports that the institution has appealed to Russian law enforcement agencies to strengthen the security of the detention center to prevent new riots.

Photo: Screenshot from a propaganda video

At the end of August 2023, the SBU opened criminal proceedings on the violation of the customs of war. Among the victims of torture by the Russian military are the former head of the Kherson detention center, Ihor Guryakov, and his deputy, Yevhen Usachov.

The men were taken by the armed occupiers under the threat of physical violence, held in a cell in the basement of the Kherson Court of Appeal and brutally interrogated for three days, subjected to beatings, electric shocks and death threats.

Currently, two Russian military officers, identified by the SBU as involved in the abduction and torture, Colonel Viktor Bedryk, the pseudo-commander of Kherson region, and his subordinate Oleksandr Chichkan, are being tried in absentia in Kherson.

In November 2022, the SBI detained the former head of the Kherson SIZO, Ihor Huryakov, his deputy and an operative on suspicion of treason. According to the investigation, after the occupation of Kherson, they voluntarily went over to the enemy, received positions in an illegally created structure, and carried out the orders of the occupiers. In January 2023, the case was referred to the court, which is currently considering whether Guryakov voluntarily cooperated with the Russians.

Photo: DBR

The defense denies the charges, claiming that Guryakov remained in the detention center due to the lack of an evacuation order, and that the video with his participation was recorded under torture. Interrogations of witnesses continue with difficulties due to the shelling of Kherson. The court is to investigate whether the former head of the institution really betrayed his oath or acted under duress. He faces up to 15 years in prison or life imprisonment.

Майя Птущук