SBI launches investigation into abuse of man in Odesa pre-trial detention center

Officers of the State Bureau of Investigation have launched a pre-trial investigation into possible human rights violations at the Odesa Detention Center.

According to the SBI, the investigation was based on a video posted on social media.

The footage shows one of the men in the cell forcing another to crawl on the floor and bring the slippers with his teeth. According to preliminary information, the victim may be an employee of one of the territorial centers for recruitment and social support.

Currently, SBI investigators are checking the authenticity of the video, identifying all the participants in the incident, witnesses and the circumstances of the possible incident. Criminal proceedings have been opened over the abuse of power or authority.

At the same time, the person who, according to available information, could have been the victim is in a pre-trial detention center in Odesa on suspicion of committing similar crimes against mobilized citizens. The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating him on suspicion of torture, illegal deprivation of liberty and kidnapping.

"No circumstances, accusations or personal attitude towards a suspect can justify humiliation, violence or lynching. Responsibility for any offenses must be borne solely within the law and by a court decision," the SBI said.

Earlier, Intent wrote that the State Criminal Executive Service of Ukraine launched an internal investigation into a possible violation of the rights of a person held in the Odesa pre-trial detention center. The management of the pre-trial detention center was suspended from duty for the duration of the inspection.

In addition, a team from the management of the Department for the Execution of Criminal Sentences was sent to the Odesa Pretrial Detention Center to check for possible human rights violations and to clarify all the circumstances of the incident.

On November 11, 2025, the Odesa pre-trial detention center was headed by Serhiy Nikitin, then a colonel of the Internal Service. According to the NGO Non-Stop Ukraine, which published the video that led to the inspection, Nikitin ordered his subordinates to extort from the detainees from 2 to 15 thousand US dollars. If a person is unable to pay, they are mocked.

Кирило Бойко