Telegram channel administrator to be tried in Ukraine for aiding tax evaders and supporting Russian aggression

The Chernihiv Regional Prosecutor's Office has sent an indictment to court against a resident of Zhytomyr region, who is accused of high treason, aiding draft evasion, organizing illegal border crossings, and justifying Russian aggression.

The Prosecutor General's Office reports this.

The investigation established that the man cooperated with the representative of the Russian Federation, agreeing to help in subversive activities against Ukraine due to the disruption of mobilization measures. He served as the administrator of the Telegram channel, where he posted information about the organization of illegal border crossing by conscripts.

The accused personally organized the illegal transportation of 11 people across the state border. To do this, he offered several ways of crossing, provided instructions with detailed routes, indicated specific places to pass outside checkpoints, and also recommended the necessary equipment.

During a Telegram correspondence with a Belarusian propagandist, the accused said that he helped about 300 men flee abroad, who, according to him, avoided mobilization and service in the Armed Forces.

In addition, the accused distributed materials in the Telegram channel that justified the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, promoted the need for «liberation from the Ukrainian Nazi plague» and glorified “heroes of special operations”. Semantic and textual examinations confirmed the illegal nature of these statements.

For these crimes, the man faces up to 15 years of imprisonment or life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

Pre-trial investigation and operational support was carried out by the SBU Department in Chernihiv region.

Natasha Kumar

By Natasha Kumar

Natasha Kumar has been a reporter on the news desk since 2018. Before that she wrote about young adolescence and family dynamics for Styles and was the legal affairs correspondent for the Metro desk. Before joining The Times Hub, Natasha Kumar worked as a staff writer at the Village Voice and a freelancer for Newsday, The Wall Street Journal, GQ and Mirabella. To get in touch, contact me through my natasha@thetimeshub.in 1-800-268-7116