10:06 18.03.2015

Over 5,000 ex-Ukrainian soldiers who remained in Crimea charged with desertion and treason – chief military prosecutor

2 min read

More than 5,000 people who served with the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and stayed on the peninsula after its annexation face being charged with treason and desertion, Deputy Prosecutor General and Chief Military Prosecutor of Ukraine Anatoliy Matios has said.

"Regarding the military, those military [personnel] who didn't move to the continental part of Ukraine and stayed in the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea exceed 5,000 people from different armed forces, such as the air force, Navy and other units and formations," he said.

Matios said that investigations have begun.

"More than 3,000 people are notified of suspicion with materials provided to put them on the wanted list…The work in this direction goes on and they will incur correspondent responsibility for crimes committed," Matios said.

MP Mustafa Jemilev alone has initiated criminal proceedings against 347 persons, which have been entered into the register of prejudicial inquiry. They are accused of crimes that led to the annexation of the Crimea, Matios added.

He also said that General Prosecutor Office is investigating the illegal entrance of ships to the ports of the occupied Crimea.

"Last week there were searches and seizure of documents at the ship that entered Kherson while before it illegally crossed Ukrainian territory for many times, entering the ports of the annexed Crimea. Now the question about impositions of fines and impoundment of the vessels owned by a foreign country that has violated Ukrainian law, to the state revenue, is being decided," Matios said.

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