Detention centre employee who helped torture Ukrainians found in Kherson

An employee at a pre-trial detention centre who collaborated with the Russians has been detained in Kherson. He helped them hold pro-Ukrainian residents of Kherson captive in solitary confinement during the temporary occupation of the city.

Source: press service of the State Bureau of Investigations; press service of the Kherson Oblast Prosecutor’s Office

Details: According to the investigation, the detainee voluntarily consented to work for the Russians at Detention Facility No. 1 as a junior inspector of the security department. The occupiers turned the pre-trial detention centre into a prison, where they tortured activists, veterans of the Anti-Terrorist Operation [a military operation conducted by the Ukrainian forces against Russian militants and Russia-financed separatists in 2014 – ed.] and other people believed by the occupiers to have put up resistance. The facility operated in accordance with Russian "laws" and paid salaries in Russian roubles.

The State Bureau of Investigations said the detainee followed all orders given by the occupiers, including those concerning the supervision of captured Ukrainians. Moreover, according to the Bureau, it is possible that he continued to contact Russians and provide them with information concerning actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Ukrainian law enforcement officers in Kherson Oblast.

After Kherson was liberated, the man was hiding in the city, but the Bureau apprehended him in the course of its stabilisation measures. The man was notified that he is under suspicion under Art 111.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (treason). He is being kept in custody with no option of bail. He is likely to be sentenced to life imprisonment with confiscation of assets.

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