Following the SSU’s investigation, an indictment was sent to court against former SSU Head Oleksandr Yakymenko. He is involved in organizing mass repressions against civilians in the occupied part of Kherson region.

Since 2014, the former official has been hiding in russia, and at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he helped the occupiers in the war against Ukraine.

Yakymenko was appointed head of the ‘state security service in Kherson region’ created by the aggressor.

In this position, he fulfils moscow’s task of spreading the kremlin regime and suppressing the resistance movement.

To do this, the traitor organizes mass persecution, abductions and torture of local residents.

Every day, people are subjected to brutal abuse - they are tortured with electric shocks, denied water and food; torturers arrange mock executions of victims.

In this way, they are trying to ‘beat’ confessions out of them in assisting Ukrainian Defence Forces, and then offer to grant ‘amnesty’ for money.

According to the investigation, Yakymenko personally recruited another eight traitors who are directly involved in torture of civilians.

Based on the evidence collected by the SSU, the head of the occupation body will be tried under several articles of the CCU:

• 110.2 (encroachment on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and inviolability);
• 111.2 (high treason committed under martial law);
• 260.3, 260.4 (creation of unlawful paramilitary or armed groups);
• 28.2, 438.1 (violation of laws and customs of war committed by prior conspiracy by a group).

The criminal actions of the suspect’s eight accomplices are qualified under the same articles of the CCU.

The accused are currently wanted. Comprehensive measures to bring them to justice are underway.

The SSU Office in Kherson region carried out the special pre-trial investigation under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office and Kherson District Prosecutor’s Office.