Odesa Court Sentences 16-Year-Old to Probation for False Bomb Threat

The Southern City Court of Odesa Region found a 16-year-old student of Lyceum No. 1 in Pivdenne guilty of knowingly falsely reporting a threat to the safety of citizens, destruction or damage to property, and sentenced him to a year in prison.

However, according to the court' s verdict, the boy's sentence was commuted to probation for one year.

The guy was also assigned the following responsibilities

• periodically report for registration to the authorized probation authority;
• to notify the authorized probation authority of any change of place of residence, work or study;
• not to travel outside Ukraine without the consent of the authorized probation authority;
• fulfill the measures provided for in the probation program.

On December 2, 2024, the boy called the security of the educational institution and reported an alleged explosive device. The boy made the call from his cell phone while he was right in the school building, during the educational process.

Law enforcement officers evacuated the lyceum staff and students and checked the premises. No explosives were found. During the court hearing, the boy pleaded guilty to committing the criminal offense under the above circumstances. He confirmed that he had called the security guard of the educational institution from his own phone and informed him about the mining of the lyceum. He made the call in order to express himself to his peers. He asked not to be punished severely, assured that he had made appropriate conclusions, sincerely repented and regretted his actions.

In February, the Malynovskyi District Court of Odesa found the serviceman guilty of falsely reporting a bomb threat against the court and sentenced him to 5 years and a month in prison. At the trial, the accused pleaded guilty and expressed sincere remorse for his actions. The man explained that he was intoxicated when he decided to call the police.

Кирило Бойко