Man may receive 9 years in prison for blowing up prosecutor's car in Odesa

The Prymorskyi District Court of Odesa continues to consider the case of 19-year-old Serhii, who is accused of a terrorist attack. According to the investigation, he planted a homemade explosive under the car of a military prosecutor, acting on the instructions of the FSB.

This was reported by the Media Initiative for Human Rights.

As a result of the explosion, the prosecutor was injured, and three other cars nearby were damaged. The incident occurred on February 20 on Seminarska Street: the explosion occurred when the prosecutor approached his car.

The SBU detained the suspect almost immediately - an 18-year-old IDP from Kherson, who, according to the investigation, was recruited by Russian special services by offering money. The curator has not yet been identified, and the materials on him have been separated into a separate proceeding.

The investigation claims that the curator rented the boy an apartment in Odesa, where he assembled explosives according to telegram instructions. He was supposed to be paid USD 3 thousand for the task, and he received part of the money in advance.

Serhii assembled the explosives in a metal kettle, covered with nuts, and on February 20, he planted them under the prosecutor's car while on a video call with his supervisor. The trigger was a phone call that activated the device.

During the search of the apartment, they found correspondence with the "curators" and the remains of explosives - the guy himself showed their location. On February 21, he was notified of being suspected of a terrorist attack under Part 2 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

He pleaded guilty. The indictment was submitted to the court on June 11. The preparatory hearings were postponed due to the absence of the victims, some of whom filed civil lawsuits. The prosecutor insisted on detention, the defense lawyer asked for a lighter measure of restraint, but Serhiy himself supported the prosecution's position.

In September, all the victims agreed to the hearing without their participation, and four filed lawsuits for about UAH 1.4 million. The hearing was repeatedly postponed due to the judge's workload. On October 31, the defendant confirmed in court his full admission of guilt and agreed to a shortened trial.

During the examination of the evidence, the data of the examinations, certificates and characteristics were confirmed, and doctors found that he was mentally healthy. During the interrogation, the guy refused to give detailed explanations, saying that he was ashamed, but did not deny the facts. The court proceeded to the debate: the prosecutor asked for a real prison sentence, while the defense and the verdict are yet to be delivered.

In early October, a couple who were planning a terrorist attack against the military at the 411th Battery Memorial was detained in Odesa. Law enforcement officers seized an explosive device and prevented the tragedy. According to the investigation, a 35-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman were recruited by Russian special services and acted in favor of the aggressor state, promised 5 to 10 thousand dollars and travel abroad for completing their tasks.

Анна Бальчінос