SBU notifies Russian judge Terentyev of suspicion of war crime regarding prisoner of war

Sentencing of a serviceman for participation in hostilities

The Security Service of Ukraine, jointly with the Office of the Prosecutor General, has documented facts of war crimes committed by a representative of the Russian judicial system. This concerns Oleg Terentyev, who holds the position of judge at the Southern District Military Court of the Russian Federation.

As a result of investigative actions, it was established that Terentyev groundlessly imposed a sentence on a Ukrainian serviceman. The judge presided over a trial based on fabricated charges, as a result of which the Ukrainian serviceman was sentenced to imprisonment and detained in a Russian penal colony.

Violation of international humanitarian law norms

The SBU emphasises that such actions directly contradict the requirements of international humanitarian law. In accordance with these norms, a person who falls into captivity during hostilities automatically acquires the status of a prisoner of war. This status protects the serviceman from imprisonment for mere participation in hostilities.

Suspicion under the article on war crimes

Based on the collected evidentiary material, SBU investigators notified Oleg Terentyev of suspicion in absentia. He is charged with violating the requirements of Article 99 of the Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of 12 August 1949. The legal qualification of the actions was made under Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which provides for liability for war crimes.

Since the suspect is located on the territory of Russia, law enforcement agencies continue to take measures to bring him to justice. The pre-trial investigation was conducted under the procedural supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General.