Volodymyr Leontiev Sentenced to 15 Years for Kidnapping Beryslav Mayor

In March 2022, the former head of the occupation administration of Kakhovka district and Nova Kakhovka, 61-year-old Volodymyr Leontiev , ordered the Russian military to kidnap and torture the mayor of Beryslav , Oleksandr Shapovalov.

According to the Center for Investigative Journalism, on Leontyev 's order, the occupiers seized Shapovalov, handcuffed him, coerced him to cooperate, and illegally held him in inhumane conditions for his pro-Ukrainian position.

"Around 11:30 on the same day, I was brought to the office of the mayor of Nova Kakhovka, where Vladimir Leontiev and about ten other Russians in military uniforms were present. I was accused of being a representative of the Right Sector and not providing buses to transport people to events in support of the Russian invaders. I explained that I have a pro-Ukrainian position and refused to cooperate with the occupation authorities. Leontyev and other Russians did not respond to any of my objections. Then Leontyev ordered me to be "locked up" for 30 days, and to conduct a search at home, and then take me to Russia," Oleksandr Shapovalov was quoted as saying in the court's verdict.

In the building of the Novokakhovka City Council, the mayor of Beryslav was handcuffed and taken to the seized Kakhovka District Police Department. There, Russians mocked him, threatening to shoot him and constantly interrogated him.

Shapovalov was kept in a small cell with four men he did not know and one young woman. The restroom was shared and located in the cell itself. It was very dirty, and the conditions in the cell were extremely uncomfortable. The Russians hardly gave the prisoners any food and did not provide the medical care that Oleksandr Shapovalov constantly needed.

On April 2, 2022, the occupiers released Oleksandr Shapovalov home. Soon after, he left Beryslav.

The court found Vladimir Leontiev guilty in absentia of violating the laws and customs of war. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The sentence has not yet entered into force.

A year ago, Leontyev was tried for the abduction of Kakhovka journalist Oleg Baturin, Tavriysk mayor Mykola Rizak and Novokakhovka City Council secretary Dmitry Vasiliev. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

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