Russian Police Officers Indicted for War Crimes in Kherson Case

During the occupation of Kherson, three heads and eight employees of the "temporary department of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Kherson region" ensured the operation of the largest torture chamber in the city.

According to the head of the investigative unit, Ihor Demianiuk, the pre-trial investigation revealed that the main Russian security officer was a 47-year-old major general of the Russian Interior Ministry. After arriving in Kherson, he headed the illegally created "temporary department of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Kherson region." His "first deputy" and "deputy" were Russian police colonels aged 50 and 58.

In July 2022, the head and staff of the "temporary detention center" created at the "police department" were also appointed from among the visiting Russian police officers. It was headed by a 38-year-old senior lieutenant with the nickname "Zlyy", and seven other junior officers and sergeants of the Russian police took up ordinary positions.

Illegally detained civilians from Kherson were held in the occupation temporary detention center, where they were subjected to physical and psychological violence, electric shocks and other forms of torture. At the same time, one of the Russian "law enforcement officers" also became an accomplice in the premeditated murder of an illegally imprisoned man.

In addition, during the pseudo-referendum in September 2022, Russian security forces forced illegally imprisoned persons to vote in favor of the accession of Kherson region to the Russian Federation. And in October 2022, the defendants organized and ensured the forced transfer of at least 60 prisoners in special vehicles to places of detention on the left bank of Kherson region and other occupied territories.

According to the Kherson regional police, the Russian occupiers changed their personal data during their stay in Kherson. But the operatives managed to identify them. All 11 defendants are employees of various units of the Russian Federation's Ministry of Internal Affairs. In June 2022, they were sent to the territory of Kherson region to ensure the occupation regime.

As a result of the measures taken, investigators and operatives have gathered sufficient evidence against the Russian police officers for committing a war crime, and the pre-trial investigation is now complete. Currently, the indictment has been approved by the regional prosecutor's office and sent to court.

The police also noted that ten Russian police officers are charged with involvement in violations of the laws and customs of war committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy, which is punishable by imprisonment for a term of eight to twelve years. Another defendant is charged with aiding and abetting the cruel treatment of civilians, combined with premeditated murder, committed by a group of persons. He faces 10 to 15 years in prison or life imprisonment.

Олеся Ланцман