The SSU detained a group of people suspected of holding an illegal referendum in the Kherson region

Counterintelligence of the Security Service detained nine people who are suspected of cooperating with the aggressor during the occupation of the right bank of the Kherson region.

This is reported by the SSU.

According to the service, the suspects were part of the «Election Commission №826», which the Russians created in the Beryslav district during the occupation. The law enforcement officers also established the identity of the woman who probably headed these illegal institutions — she is currently hiding in the occupied territory.

«According to the investigation, during her stay in the «position» she organized the holding of an illegal referendum of the Russian Federation regarding the «joining» of the region to Russia. In order to fulfill the instruction of the Russian Federation, she involved nine local residents, from whom she then formed the full composition of the «electoral committee». According to her instructions, subordinates massively agitated their fellow villagers to support the Russian Federation and «vote» in its favor,» the message explained.

On the day of the illegal «referendum», the perpetrators went round the yards of private homes with ballot boxes and ballots.

The service added that during the agitation, the suspects, accompanied by armed soldiers, collected «votes for joining the Russian Federation».

«During the liberation of the region, the «head of the election committee» fled with the occupiers to the left bank of the Kherson Region, while her subordinates remained on the right bank and «laid to the bottom» near the battle line. In this way, they hoped to avoid justice,» the message added.

A group of people was detained and charged with suspicion under Part 5 of Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (collaborative activity, participation in the organization and holding of illegal referendums in the temporarily occupied territory). They face up to 10 years in prison.

The former head of the occupying «electoral» of the Russian Federation was notified in absentia of suspicion under the same article of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

We will remind how the collaborator who held the «referendum» in Chornobaiivka was given 5 years in prison.