Odessa Refuses to Try the Former Director of "Khersonvodokanal" in Absentia

A court in Odesa refused to hear in absentia the case against Viktor Skoblikov, the former director of “Khersonvodokanal,” who is accused of treason. 

This is stated in a ruling by the Khadzhibey District Court of Odesa.

The prosecutor requested permission for a special court proceeding, that is, a trial without the defendant’s presence. According to the prosecution, Skoblikov is in hiding in the temporarily occupied territory and has failed to appear in court.

The court, however, noted that the evidence provided by the prosecutor was insufficient to confirm Skoblikov’s presence in the occupied territory.

In particular, the court did not accept as valid evidence letters from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) containing operational information about his whereabouts. Furthermore, the case file contained no information indicating that the defendant had been placed on an international or interstate wanted list.

At the same time, the court determined that Skoblikov was evading court appearances without valid reasons. Consequently, he was placed on the wanted list, and the criminal proceedings were suspended until the accused is located.

According to the investigation, after the occupation of Kherson, Skoblikov collaborated with representatives of Russian special services. He is accused, in particular, of transferring municipal equipment to set up Russian military positions, organizing the participation of water utility employees in occupation activities, as well as removing the Ukrainian flag from the company’s building and raising the flag of the aggressor state.

Skoblikov was notified of the suspicion of treason in August 2022. Subsequently, the indictment was submitted to the court. He has been wanted since August 2022.

Earlier, a court in Odesa froze Skoblikov’s corporate rights. This involves 1% stakes in five companies —“Melitopolvodokanal,” “Khersonvodokanal,” “NII KVOV-Ukraine,” “Pervomaiskvodokanal,” and “Artemivskvodokanal.” Their combined nominal value is 57,300 hryvnias. The seizure prohibits the use, disposal, or transfer of these shares.

The court took into account that sanctions, including the freezing of assets, were imposed on the former director in 2024. The prosecutor also justified the seizure of corporate rights by noting that, in the event of a conviction under the article on high treason, confiscation of property may be applied.

Ірина Глухова