The case of the commander of Sevastopol’s largest checkpoint during the occupation has been referred to court

An indictment has been filed against a member of the illegal armed group “Sevastopol Self-Defense,” who commanded Sevastopol’s largest checkpoint during the 2014 occupation of Crimea. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

This was reported by the Prosecutor’s Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol.

According to the investigation, the man voluntarily joined “Sevastopol Self-Defense,” which operated in support of Russian troops. After an interview with so-called supervisors, he was appointed commander of the “Verkhniosadove” checkpoint.

Investigators established that he commanded his subordinates, organized the checkpoint’s operations, ordered checks of local residents’ documents, inspections of vehicles, and control over the entry and exit of vehicles. In addition, the defendant participated in guarding polling stationsduringtheillegal“referendum”on Crimea’s annexation to Russia.

It should be noted that during the occupation of Crimea, the “Verkhniosadove” checkpoint was the largest in Sevastopol. Beginning on February 23, 2014, vehicles, buses, and people were screened there by more than 100 members of the illegal group.

The suspect is charged with participating in an illegal armed group and violating the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine. If found guilty, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

Intent has previously reported on other members of the illegal armed group “Crimean Self-Defense.”

At that time, an indictment was filed against three “company commanders” who, according to the investigation, voluntarily sided with Russia in February 2014 and led units of the illegal armed group.

Under their leadership, “Self-Defense” members, together with Russian military personnel, participated in the seizure of administrative buildings, enterprises, institutions, and Ukrainian military units.

Ірина Глухова