SBU investigators have completed a pre-trial investigation against a Russian citizen, the leader of one of the so-called DNR illegal armed groups.

An indictment was filed in court for torture and ill-treatment of civilians in conjunction with premeditated murder.

According to SBU investigators and CI officers, in June 2014 in Horlivka, Donetsk region, the attacker led a group of militants.

It was established that together with his accomplices he organized and managed the kidnapping and torture of a local businessman. After that the perpetrator committed premeditated murder of the victim.

In addition, in July 2014, he organized the abduction of a soldier of one of the battalions of the special police patrol service. By order of the group's leader, the militants tortured and killed the illegally detained man.

The actions of the accused are qualified as violation of the laws and customs of war.

According to the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949 and the Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 Concerning the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts of 8 June 1977, these acts constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law.

The accused is charged with particularly serious crimes against peace, security of mankind and international law, punishable by imprisonment for a term of 8 to 12 years, as well as from 10 to 15 years or life imprisonment.

Measures to expose the offenses were carried out by the officials of the Main Investigation Department together with the SBU Counterintelligence Department and under the procedural guidance of the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Note: in accordance with Art. 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and shall not be subjected to criminal punishment until his or her guilt is proved through legal procedure and established by a court verdict of guilty.