Seven years of imprisonment: a collaborating elder in the Snihurivka region was sentenced in absentia for cooperation with the Russians

Houses destroyed by Russian attacks in Snihurivka, archival photo: NikVesti

The Snihurivka district court sentenced a resident of the village to 7 years in prison, who, during the occupation by Russian troops, assumed the position of the so-called «head of the Vasylivka village council.»

This is stated in the text of the sentence dated October 14, written NikVesti.

The man agreed to cooperate with the occupiers in August 2022. His responsibilities included the organization of the administrative apparatus, the collection of data on unprotected sections of the population and damaged property, the organization of the transfer of abandoned buildings to the balance sheet of the occupying power, as well as the promotion of propaganda among the locals.

The man actively supported the new government. In order to «serve» the Russians, he distributed thousands of rubles of social benefits.

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The trial took place in the absence of the accused. However, the procedural requirements regarding his rights and due notice, as provided for in the Convention on the Protection of Human Rights, were respected. In particular, he was appointed a lawyer from the Regional Center for providing free secondary legal assistance.

The defender insisted on a minimum punishment, taking into account the fact that the accused performed functions to provide for the population.

Instead, the prosecutor demanded punishment in the form of imprisonment for 7 years, deprivation of the right to hold certain positions for 15 years, as well as confiscation of all property. As evidence, he showed publications on the Telegram channel dated September 8, 2022, in which it is said that the man helps the Russian authorities, in particular by surrendering pro-Ukrainian citizens, supporting the occupation authorities, and also helping to issue pensions and payments.

In addition, during the search of the residence of the so-called starost, flags of the Russian Federation, pro-Russian press and documents testifying to the support of the occupiers were found.

Witnesses also spoke about voluntary cooperation at the court. They noted that the man used to work as a sailor. He never hid his pro-Russian views and was happy about the occupation.

Neighbors repeatedly saw how the man traveled with the Russians to Kherson for humanitarian aid, which he kept in his own garage. 10-15 days before his release, the headman left the village, lying to his fellow villagers that he was going to visit his relatives.

According to the court's decision, the man was sentenced in absentia to 7 years of imprisonment under Part 5 of Art. 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. His house was confiscated for the benefit of the state. All physical evidence with pro-Russian symbols was handed over to the Snihurivka Historical and Local History Museum.

It will be recalled that earlier the court found guilty 48-year-old Olha Zakharova from the town of Snihurivka, Mykolaiv Region, who during the occupation voluntarily sided with the Russian authorities and became the deputy director of an illegally established local school.