The Security Service of Ukraine and the Prosecutor General’s Office have documented war crimes committed by Oleg Dmytrovych Terentiev, a russian national and judge of the Southern district military court of the aggressor state. He is involved in the unlawful conviction of a Ukrainian Defence Forces serviceman held in captivity.

The investigation established that Terentiev unjustifiably sentenced the Ukrainian serviceman to imprisonment in a russian penal colony.

The russian judge presided over a sham trial based on fabricated charges in order to have the captive imprisoned.

By handing down this ruling, the official grossly violated international humanitarian law, under which the serviceman concerned is a combatant in an armed conflict.

If captured, such a person acquires prisoner-of-war status and may not be imprisoned for participating in hostilities.

Based on the evidence collected, SSU investigators notified Oleg Terentiev of suspicion in absentia under Article 438.1 of the CCU (war crimes, including violations of the requirements of Article 99 of the 12 August 1949 Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War).

As the suspect is in russia, efforts to bring him to justice are underway.

The investigation was conducted under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.