Two members of the so-called self-defense of Crimea, who helped to occupy the peninsula, will be tried

In February 2014, Crimean residents voluntarily joined the illegal armed group (IAG) 'Self-Defense of Crimea'. For their assistance in the occupation, the Russians awarded them medals "For the Defense of Crimea" and"For the Return of Crimea".

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

The investigation found that in February 2014, Russia initiated the creation of illegal armed groups in Crimea, which operated under the control of Russian special services. The purpose of their creation was to facilitate the invasion of the armed forces and other security forces of the Russian Federation into the sovereign territory of Ukraine.

In particular, the IAF "Self-Defense of Crimea" participated in hostilities: blocking and seizing transport infrastructure, military facilities, state and local government bodies of Ukraine, as well as enterprises, institutions and organizations of the peninsula.

One of the defendants was the "ataman" of the NGO "Union of Cossacks of the Feodosia Region", which was part of the IAG. He agitated the military personnel of the military unit A 2272 in Feodosia to go over to the side of the occupation authorities and blocked the unit's activities.

Another was appointed by the occupiers as the "Director General" of the so-called "State Treasury Institution of the Republic of Crimea "Crimean Republican Headquarters of the People's Militia - People's Guard of the Republic of Crimea", where he provided assistance to the military of the aggressor country's armed forces.

In addition, the "self-defense" members were directly involved in the preparation and holding of an illegal "referendum" in March 2014 on the accession of the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea to the Russian Federation.

The Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomy sent to the court indictments against these two members of the illegal armed group 'Self-Defense of Crimea'. The actions of the accused are qualified as participation in armed groups not provided for by law, encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine and high treason. They face up to 15 years in prison.