In the Kherson region, a court sentenced two local residents in absentia for working for the occupying “tax authority.” They were sentenced to 13 and 14 years in prison, with confiscation of their property.
This was reported by the Kherson Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the court’s verdict, the 58-year-old woman will serve 13 years in prison, and her 49-year-old accomplice will serve 14 years. In addition to the confiscation of their property, the court has barred them from holding positions in government bodies and engaging in law enforcement activities for 13 and 14 years, respectively.
Since the defendants are located in uncontrolled territory, they were convicted in absentia. The term of their sentence will be calculated from the moment of their arrest.
According to the prosecutor’s office, in June 2022, the woman assumed the position of so-called deputy head of the logistics department of the Kherson Regional Tax Service. In July 2022, the man became the acting head of the same occupation department. They were responsible for the logistical support of the pseudo-agency and facilitated its activities.
Earlier, lawyer Ihor Shavrov explained that in absentia convictions for collaborators are entirely viable mechanisms for holding them accountable. According to him, they allow individuals to be placed on an international wanted list with the prospect of extradition even decades later, since statutes of limitations do not apply to crimes against national security. In addition, the sentences provide for a clear procedure for the confiscation of the convicts’ property through the State Enforcement Service and electronic auctions for the benefit of the state.
Юлія Калабайда