A former police psychologist from Kherson was convicted of working for Russia

A former Ukrainian police psychologist was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison. Law enforcement officials determined that in 2022, he voluntarily took a position in the “Ministry of Internal Affairs” established by the occupiers in Kherson. 

This is stated in the verdict of the Kherson City Court. 

The convicted man was also barred from holding positions in law enforcement agencies, government bodies, and local self-government bodies, as well as from engaging in activities related to the provision of public services, for 15 years. All of the man’s property was confiscated. He was also stripped of his rank of police major.

As established by the court, in June 2022, the occupying authorities established the so-called Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kherson Region in the Kherson region. The institution adopted the provisions of Russian criminal procedural law. On June 22, 2022, the convicted man was dismissed from the Ukrainian police, where he had served and held the rank of major. On August 1 of that same year, he was accepted into the service of the occupying agency at his own request.

According to the investigation, while serving the occupiers, the convicted man temporarily performed the duties of deputy head of department and head of the psychological work section within the personnel management department. 

In its verdict, the court relied on the testimony of the defendant’s former colleagues. One of the witnesses stated that in the summer of 2022, the defendant was looking for a job and later confirmed that he had been hired by the occupation police. According to the witness, the man was satisfied with his high salary and advised him to also go work for the occupiers.

Another witness was questioned during the pretrial investigation via video link. According to him, in August 2022, the defendant wore a uniform, carried a service weapon, and said he worked as a psychologist for the occupation police.

All witnesses identified the defendant from photographs. Additionally, on the Telegram channel of the occupation administration, a witness recognized him in a photo wearing a Russian-style uniform.

The case file also includes an order dated August 1, 2022, appointing the defendant to his position, regulations governing the occupation “administration,” orders from the “military commandant,” and his personnel file.

Юлія Калабайда