The SBU investigators continue to investigate the actions of representatives of the NGO “Ukrainskyi Vybir". The law enforcement has reasonable grounds to suspect the NGO members of promoting the illegal referendum and elections in the temporarily occupied AR of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol in 2014.

SBU established that the NGO members strongly supported the occupation authorities during the invasion and thereafter. They became representatives of illegal election commissions and polling stations, participated in the work of the "Self-Defense of Crimea” IAF. IAF members carried out illegal prosecution of Ukrainian activists and seized administrative buildings of Ukrainian authorities.

The NGO organizers simulated the liquidation of 210 cells that were operating on the peninsula. However, the NGO never submitted any relevant documents to the Ministry of Justice. The organization continued to conduct activities in Crimea to the detriment of Ukrainian state security.

Only in 2017, the liquidation of “Ukrainskyi Vybir” cells was formalized in accordance with the law of Ukraine. Allegedly, these facts can indicate that the NGO members attempted to disguise their illegal activities in the AR of Crimea.

During the pre-trial investigation, the SBU collected indisputable evidence proving that the NGO leaders and members participated in the organization and conduction of the illegal referendum and illegal elections in the temporarily occupied territory of the AR of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Reportedly, they were also involved in other illegal activities.

The investigative actions are ongoing upon the fact of forgery in office. The issue of serving the perpetrators notices of suspicion of high treason and encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine is being settled.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol city.