Resident of Kherson region accused of aiding Russian military ordered to undergo psychiatric examination

The case of a resident of Mykolaivka village suspected of helping the Russian military during the occupation has received a new development in court. A psychological and psychiatric examination was ordered for the native of Kherson region to determine her mental state during the alleged crime.

This was reported by the Media Initiative for Human Rights.

The Prymorskyi District Court of Odesa continued the consideration of the criminal proceedings against Lyudmyla Hrushko from Mykolaivka, Kherson region, who is accused of assisting the Russian military. The judges ordered a comprehensive psychological and psychiatric examination to determine whether the woman was aware of her actions during the events that led to the charges.

According to the investigation, in March-August 2022, a resident of occupied Mykolaivka allegedly allowed Russian units to use her own premises. According to the prosecution, the military stored ammunition, boxes and other property there. Investigators believe that in this way, the woman sought to continue her business activities unhindered under the occupation.

During the court hearing, the prosecutor requested an expert examination. The basis was the testimony of the accused herself about the treatment of a mental disorder and her education in a specialized boarding school. The information summoned by the court from medical institutions was confirmed.

However, the defense opposed this decision. The lawyer stated that his client did not show signs of mental illness, and Lyudmyla Grushko herself did not support the prosecutor's request either.

After considering the positions of the parties, the court agreed with the need for an examination. It will be conducted by specialists from the Vinnytsia branch of the Institute of Forensic Psychiatry, as the defendant currently lives in Vinnytsia.

The experts will have to find out whether she could fully understand the significance of her actions and control her behavior. They will also have to assess whether there are grounds for the application of compulsory medical measures and whether the peculiarities of her psychological state could have influenced her behavior during the events.

The next hearing will be scheduled after receiving the expert opinion. Earlier in this case, the prosecution changed the qualification of the charges - instead of treason, the woman is charged with collaboration.

Also, the gunner from Kherson was sentenced to life imprisonment with confiscation of all his property. The verdict stated that the accused passed on information about checkpoints, trenches, locations of Ukrainian military and the possible location of artillery.

Анна Бальчінос