Verdict for Oleksandr Kobets
The former head of the occupation administration of Kherson, Oleksandr Kobets, received a life sentence with property confiscation for collaboration and state treason. The verdict was issued in absentia, as Kobets left Ukraine back in March 2022, before the onset of full-scale war.
Before the war began, Oleksandr Kobets lived in Kyiv but was later appointed as the head of the occupation administration of Kherson. In his activities, he:
- prepared a pseudo-referendum aimed at joining the region to the Russian Federation;
- introduced Russian legislation in captured communal institutions, which became an important element of his collaboration activities;
- coordinated efforts with Volodymyr Saldo, another representative of the occupation administration.
It is worth noting that Kobets was found guilty under parts 2 of Article 111 (state treason committed in a state of war) and 5 of Article 111-1 (collaboration activities). The verdict from the Pechersk District Court of Kyiv emphasizes the seriousness of his actions and their consequences for Ukraine's national security.
Importance of the Verdict
This verdict is an important step in Ukraine's fight against collaborationism and the support of state security in the context of aggression from Russia. Since Kobets acted in a key territory, his actions significantly affected the situation in the region, highlighting the importance of justice in such cases. A life sentence with property confiscation can serve as a signal to other potential collaborators that their actions will not go unpunished.