Two residents of Kherson region helped occupants to organize illegal referendum

Two more residents of Kherson region have been exposed and served with a notice of suspicion of organizing an illegal referendum.

According to the press service of the Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office, two local residents were notified of suspicion of collaboration (Part 2 of Article 28, Part 5 of Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). They have also been chosen a measure of restraint in the form of detention.

According to the investigation, one of the defendants, a 57-year-old woman, in August 2022 agreed to participate in the organization and holding of an illegal referendum on joining the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied village of Komyshany, Kherson region. For this purpose, she took the position of "PEC secretary". Her tasks included organizing and supervising the work of the "commission" members, forming "voter lists". The suspect also kept records and issued ballots, was engaged in the placement of campaign materials, and organized the work of the "polling station" located in a school.

It is also reported that another 40-year-old suspect, as a "PEC member," went to the homes of residents of Mykolayivka village, Beryslav district, with a ballot box and offered to vote for Kherson region to join Russia.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the SBU Office in Kherson region, with operational support provided by the SBU Office in Vinnytsia and Kirovohrad regions.

It is also known that a mother and daughter will be tried in Kherson region for participating in the organization of a pseudo-referendum.

The investigation established that the defendants are a mother and daughter who participated in the work of the so-called "election commissions" in September 2022.

Earlier it was reported that a resident of Kherson was served in absentia a notice of suspicion of high treason and collaboration (Part 2 of Article 111, Part 5 of Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

According to the investigation, in March-September 2022, the suspect took part in election tours in the occupied city of Nova Kakhovka, Holoprystan and Henichesk districts of Kherson region, and later in organizing illegal elections. She publicly called on the local population to support the orders and laws of the Russian Federation, popularized the authorities of the aggressor country. She exerted psychological pressure and tried to force the local population to take part in the fake election.

It was also reported that a resident of Kherson region would be tried for her participation in organizing the pseudo-referendum.

Володимир Шкаєв