A former member of the Odessa City Council is to stand trial for treason
According to investigators from the State Bureau of Investigation, in late February 2014, the defendant, in collusion with representatives of political organisations from the aggressor state, organised a mass pro-Russian rally in Odesa. Participants at the rally called on the leadership of the Russian Federation to send troops into Ukrainian territory under the pretext of protecting the Russian-speaking population.
The investigation established that the accused maintained contact with representatives of the aggressor state, passed on information to them about the socio-political situation in the region, and coordinated the activities of pro-Russian organisations under his control.
He also publicly supported the holding of an illegal referendum on the annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea to the Russian Federation and called for a similar referendum to be held in Odesa.
Prior to the start of the full-scale invasion, the defendant was in the Russian Federation, where he took part in public events and expressed support for the actions of the aggressor state.
The former MP is currently in custody. He is charged with violating the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine and high treason.
The offences carry a sentence of up to 15 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property. The defendant’s property has been seized.
The proceedings are being led by the Office of the Prosecutor General.
