A former Berdyansk judge has been found guilty of high treason under martial law and sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment with confiscation of all property.
In the spring of 2022, when Berdyansk fell under occupation, this judge, on her own initiative, established contact with a representative of the security services of the Russian Federation and began cooperating with the FSB of the Russian Federation. In carrying out their tasks, she collected and passed on information about the movements of Ukrainian troops in Donetsk region, including details about fighters of the separate special-purpose detachment “Azov”.
In addition to data on military personnel, the former judge gathered information about employees of courts and medical institutions in Berdyansk who supported Ukraine. She also tried to cultivate among her colleagues a loyal attitude to the occupation authorities and assisted in forming the staff of the illegally created unit in the city – the so-called “ministry of emergency situations of Russia”.
Later the woman moved to territory controlled by Ukraine, took charge of one of the district courts in Poltava region and continued to administer justice on behalf of Ukraine. In May 2023, under the procedural guidance of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Prosecutor's Office, her activities were exposed, she was detained and notified of suspicion, after which the High Council of Justice decided to dismiss her from the post of judge.
The court classified the woman's actions under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine as high treason committed under martial law, and imposed a sentence of 15 years' imprisonment with confiscation of property. Until the verdict becomes final, the convicted woman will remain in custody without the right to bail.