The former head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in the Kharkiv region has been indicted. He faces life imprisonment for treason (VIDEO)

The indictment against the former head of the Security Service of Ukraine in Kharkiv region was sent to court. He is accused of high treason and committing crimes against the established procedure for military service.

SBI employees completed the pre-trial investigation in March this year, after which the accused was familiarised with the case file.

After the pre-trial investigation was completed, the defence tried to delay the process of familiarisation with the criminal proceedings, falsely believing that this would lead to a delay in the procedural deadlines and, as a result, would allow the defendant to escape liability. However, investigators under the procedural guidance of prosecutors from the Prosecutor General's Office restricted the defence and took measures to prevent violation of reasonable pre-trial investigation time limits.

During the investigation, it was established that on the eve of 24 February 2022, the former official knew about the high probability of a full-scale attack on the territory of Ukraine by the russian armed forces.

Assuming that the military attack would be successful and hoping that this would be taken into account by the russian occupation authorities, the head of the border region's special service engaged in subversive activities against Ukraine, which caused damage to defence capabilities and state security.

In particular, he organised an attempt to remove the Head of the Kharkiv Regional State (Military) Administration from his duties. The purpose of this act was to prevent the Head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration from implementing the necessary measures of the martial law regime and to seize state power in the region.

He also discredited the current authorities of Kharkiv and the region through the media by spreading false information. In addition, he attempted to paralyse the region's security forces by obstructing the functioning of the unified command and control system for the region's security and defence forces.

In addition, he has deliberately failed to fulfil the tasks assigned to the Kharkiv Regional Security Service and, without any legal basis, has ordered the personnel of the Kharkiv Regional Security Service to leave the administrative offices of the Security Service and the territory of Kharkiv.

He deliberately set up conditions for handing over to the enemy the weapons, ammunition, combat support equipment and personal protective equipment stored in the administrative building of the Kharkiv Regional Security Service.

In addition, under martial law, he arbitrarily left his place of duty without a valid reason.

The former head of the Security Service of Ukraine in Kharkiv region is suspected of committing criminal offences under Part 2 of Article 111 (high treason), Part 5 of Article 407 (unauthorised leaving of a military unit or place of service), Part 4 of Article 402 (disobedience) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

He faces life imprisonment. 

Procedural guidance is provided by the Office of the Prosecutor General.