Kherson Residents Face Collaboration Charges for Pseudo-Referendum Roles

Two residents of Kherson are suspected of collaborating with the occupiers during the pseudo-referendum in 2022. They took an active part in the work of fake election commissions, for which they were notified in absentia of suspicion of collaboration.

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

According to the investigation, in September 2022, a 72-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman voluntarily joined the organization of a pseudo-referendum in the temporarily occupied territory of Kherson. They worked in the so-called "precinct election commissions" of the Dniprovskyi district, performing key functions during the illegal voting.

The man held the role of an ordinary member of the commission: he received citizens, issued ballots, checked voters against the lists, helped to equip "polling stations" and place campaign materials.

The woman served as the "secretary of the commission". She was responsible for maintaining documentation, organizing the work of the "commission" members, storing ballots, compiling voter lists and meeting minutes. The suspect was also involved in the design of the premises, installation of booths and distribution of Russian Federation symbols.

The investigation is ongoing and is being carried out by investigators of the Main Department of the National Police in Kherson region.

Also, during the occupation of Kherson region, a local resident agreed to head the hospital and forced other doctors to support the Russian occupation authorities. Law enforcement officers collected sufficient evidence of his cooperation with the enemy, and the court sentenced him.

In addition, another offender was served with a notice of suspicion of collaboration in absentia. According to the investigation, in August 2022, a 30-year-old man voluntarily joined the occupation "police" and became a "law enforcement officer" in the so-called Ministry of Internal Affairs department of the Skadovsk municipal district. He carried out orders from the Russian leadership and helped legitimize the occupation authorities.

Another resident of the region, a 54-year-old man, joined a pro-Kremlin party in July 2023. In September, he took part in fake elections organized by the occupiers.

Анна Бальчінос