Ukrainian Collaborator Sentenced to 7 Years for Supporting Occupiers

A former Ukrainian citizen, who voluntarily started working for the aggressor's authorities after the occupation of Crimea, was sentenced in absentia.

According to the Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, the court found her guilty of collaboration (Part 5 of Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and sentenced her to 7 years in prison. In addition, she was banned from holding public office and engaging in business activities for 10 years, and her property was confiscated.

The investigation established that in September 2022, by order of the so-called "Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Crimea", she was appointed "Deputy Minister of Industrial Policy" of the occupation authorities.

While in this position, the official promoted the implementation of Russia's industrial policy, participated in propaganda activities and assisted the functioning of illegal authorities in the temporarily occupied territory.

Following a public prosecution by the prosecutor's office, the court passed a verdict in absentia, recognizing her actions as a crime against the statehood of Ukraine.

Prior to that, the autonomy's prosecutor's office sent to the court an indictment against the general director of Tavrida Publishing and Printing House, who is suspected of aiding and abetting the organization and holding of illegal elections on the temporarily occupied territory of the peninsula.

Also, 11 "private entrepreneurs" of the annexed peninsula, who in 2022-2023 entered into "contracts" with the occupation penal colonies in Sevastopol and the so-called "Federal Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation", were suspected.

In addition, a Crimean businessman who assisted the occupiers in conducting illegal conscription campaigns will be tried. The defendant is charged with aiding and abetting the violation of the laws and customs of war (Part 5 of Article 27, Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and collaboration (Part 4 of Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

Ірина Глухова