New Charges Against Former Odessa City Council Member for Treason

The Odessa regional prosecutor's office has announced charges against a former city council member who acted in favor of the aggressor state.

He is accused of treason, war propaganda, and justifying the armed aggression of Russia against Ukraine, using media (Part 2 Art. 111, Art. 436, Part 3 Art. 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The investigation revealed that the ex-deputy left for Russia in 2014, where he took active steps against Ukraine's sovereignty.

On February 24, 2022, the day of Russia's full-scale invasion, the suspect joined Russian troops in the temporarily occupied Kyiv region.

He was actively using his Telegram channel, where he posted messages openly calling on Ukrainian soldiers to lay down their arms and not resist. He justified Russia's aggression and spread disinformation about the occupation.

Additionally, the suspect gave an interview to a well-known Russian YouTube blogger, openly admitting his collaboration with the occupiers and claiming that Ukraine supposedly had no chance of victory.

He is currently wanted.

The investigation is being conducted by the SBU in the Odessa region.

Note: According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered innocent until proven guilty by a court verdict.