Kherson deputy accommodated and fed by Russian security forces and may receive 15 years in prison

A deputy of the Genichesk City Council is suspected of treason for cooperating with the occupiers and doing business under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation. He headed a sanatorium that housed Russian military and security forces and supported propaganda activities in favor of the aggressor.

This was reported by the press service of the Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office.

The deputy of the Henichesk City Council was served in absentia with a notice of suspicion of high treason and conducting business activities in cooperation with the aggressor state. The Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office is providing procedural guidance in the case.

Investigators found that in July 2022, the 45-year-old man voluntarily cooperated with the occupation authorities and agreed to head the enterprise created by the invaders - the State Unitary Enterprise "Arabatska Strelka Health Complex". In April 2023, he officially registered this institution in accordance with the requirements of Russian law.

Having information about local residents who had left the temporarily occupied territory, the suspect helped the Russian military move into abandoned houses. In addition, representatives of the occupation law enforcement agencies were accommodated in the premises of the sanatorium, which he headed, and provided them with accommodation and meals.

According to the investigation, the man actively supported the occupation regime by participating in public events such as holidays, exhibitions and memorial dates that promoted Russian narratives, culture and traditions.

A resident of Kherson was also sentenced to 5 years in prison after being found guilty of collaborating with the occupation authorities. In 2022, he voluntarily took a job as a controller at the Central Market, which was under Russian control, and collected fees from traders for using the services. According to the case file, 42-year-old Volodymyr Bersan, a native of Chornobaivka and former employee of the city council, signed an employment contract with the market administration in July 2022.

In addition, the former deputy from Kherson is suspected of high treason and cooperation with the occupation authorities. She headed the so-called "Duma" and a pseudo-scientific institution called Askania-Nova. For these actions, she faces up to 15 years in prison or life imprisonment.

Анна Бальчінос