MP convicted in Odesa region for threatening military at checkpoint

In Odesa region, a deputy of the Safianivka village council was convicted of threatening the military at a checkpoint when he pointed a rifle at them. The man pleaded guilty and avoided imprisonment by receiving a year of probation.

Mahala reported this with reference to data from the court register.

A native of the village of Kyslytsia, who currently works as the deputy head of a local farm and is a member of the Safianivka village council, was brought to court for obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to the case file, the events unfolded in April of this year at a checkpoint near Kyslytsia. The military of the Izmail District Territorial Recruitment Center stopped a car with two undocumented men. During the inspection, they called their friend, a local deputy, to help them and bring their IDs.

A few minutes later, the accused arrived at the scene, but instead of documents, he was holding a carbine. Approaching the military, the man pointed the weapon at them and threatened to use it, demanding that they release the detainees. Holding the TCC employees at gunpoint, the deputy ordered his comrades to get into the car, after which they left the scene.

After the incident, law enforcement officers searched the suspect's apartment. They seized the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado he had used to arrive at the checkpoint, as well as a smoothbore rifle registered to him, a carbine with a silencer, and 158 rounds of ammunition of various calibers suitable for firing small arms - machine guns and pistols. According to the investigation, the man purchased some of the ammunition illegally.

During the trial, the defendant's lawyer agreed with the prosecutor 's office to enter into a plea agreement. The court agreed to its terms, taking into account several mitigating circumstances: the man had no previous convictions, sincerely repented and voluntarily transferred UAH 610 thousand to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The court eventually found the MP guilty and sentenced him to five years in prison. However, given his repentance and active cooperation with the investigation, the sentence was commuted to one year of probation with the imposition of duties provided for by law.

In September, the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office submitted to the court an indictment against a deputy of the Tairova village council, who is accused of justifying Russian aggression against Ukraine. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, she has supported anti-Ukrainian ideology and sought ways to assist the enemy.

Анна Бальчінос