Suspicion was reported to the pseudo-head of the reserve “Askania-Nova”
The Hesonian law enforcement officers reported the suspicion of collaboration to the pseudo-head of the Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve. After the invasion of the Russian army in Ukraine, the enemy immediately occupied the territory of the reserve. This state institution is located on the left bank of the Kherson region on the territory of Kakhovsky district and is a nature conservation, scientific and research institution of international importance and is part of the nature reserve fund of Ukraine.
The occupation authorities re-registered it under Russian law and created an illegal state institution, the so-called “state autonomic education “biosphere placename “askania-nova"”. One of the objectives of the newly created pseudo-institution is to detect and curb violations of established regimes or other rules for the protection and use of the environment and natural resources.
As law enforcement officials found out, at the beginning of March this year, the pseudo-reserve was headed by a 48-year-old resident of Kherson region. Currently, he carries out the general management of the institution under Russian laws, performs the organizational, administrative and law enforcement functions assigned to it, carries out direct management of the territory protection department and the operational unit.
In addition, the defendant established cooperation with zoos and safari parks of the aggressor country. He participated in conferences and exhibitions, where he attributed to Russia the achievements of Ukrainian researchers in the field of environmental protection.
Illegal actions of the pseudo-leader were qualified by investigators under Part 7 of Art. 111-1 “Collaborative activities” of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. That is, voluntary employment by a citizen of Ukraine of a position in an illegal law enforcement agency established in the temporarily occupied territory. Now, in agreement with the regional prosecutor's office, the defendant has been notified of the suspicion in absentia.
He faces punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of 12 to 15 years with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a period of 10 to 15 years.
National Police of Ukraine
