Odesa resident sentenced to three years in prison for anti-Ukrainian statements

A court in Odesa sentenced a man for justifying Russia's armed aggression and inciting national hatred. During a telephone conversation, the accused insulted Ukrainians and justified the actions of the occupiers.

This is evidenced by the ruling of the Southern City Court of Odesa Region.

The Odesa court considered a case against a person accused of committing crimes under Part 1 of Article 161 and Part 1 of Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The first article provides for liability for violation of equality of citizens on national, racial or religious grounds, the second - for public denial or justification of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine and the use of aggressor symbols.

According to the investigation, in July 2024, during a telephone conversation with a mobile operator, the accused expressed pro-Russian views, justified Russia's aggression against Ukraine and humiliated Ukrainians.

During the conversation, he called the occupation troops "liberators" and expressed indignation at the patriotic messages from the operator:"Well, defend your homeland. Who should I defend it from? The Ukrainians sent my mother to the other side. I was left alone. Do I have to do this from my brothers, who came to save me from the Kyiv junta, to protect me more... or what?"

During the search, a cell phone with several SIM cards used to make calls was seized from the accused. A forensic psychiatric examination found that he did not have mental illness and could realize his actions.

In court, the defendant partially denied his guilt, claiming that he did not remember the incident and was not sure whether it was him on the recording. At the same time, he admitted that he had received patriotic messages from the operator and asked him not to send them anymore. When asked by the court about his attitude to the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, he stated that he supported Ukraine, but did not help the Armed Forces or volunteer, and did not know the anthem or the Ukrainian language.

The court found such explanations contradictory and rejected the allegation of being in a state of affect during the incident, noting that the death of the defendant's mother had occurred more than four years ago. The court also emphasized that criminal liability does not arise for personal beliefs, but for specific actions aimed at justifying the aggression of the Russian Federation and humiliation of the national honor of Ukrainians.

For the totality of the crimes, the judge sentenced him to three years in prison with an additional restriction on the right to hold positions in state and local government bodies for two years. In addition, the defendant must reimburse the state for the costs of conducting examinations in the amount of more than UAH 10 thousand.

Recently, the SBU, together with the National Police, prevented an attempt by Russian special services to destabilize the situation in Ukraine by creating neo-communist organizations. They were planned to open in Odesa and Mykolaiv regions, among others.

Анна Бальчінос