Based on the materials of the SBI, the former head of the Kharkiv pretrial detention center and six of his subordinates will be judged for the death of a detainee

The employees of the State Bureau of Investigation have completed a pre-trial investigation into the former head of the Kharkiv detention center and six of his subordinates—two operations officers, the deputy chief, the senior guard, and two junior inspectors. Their actions led to the death of a detainee.

The indictment has been sent to the court.

According to the investigation, in April 2025, detention center employees placed the victim in a cell with a convicted prisoner, which is a gross violation of the law. Shortly thereafter, the cellmate brutally beat the man, causing serious bodily harm. Despite his critical condition, the detention center staff did not call doctors and isolated him in a separate cell without medical assistance. The victim died during the night. An examination confirmed that timely medical intervention would have saved his life.

To conceal their actions, the detention center employees provided false information to the authorities, concealing the illegal transfer and lack of assistance.

Depending on their role in the crime, the defendants are charged with:

• abuse of power or official authority by a law enforcement officer, resulting in serious consequences (Part 3 of Article 365 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine);
• leaving a person in danger, resulting in death (Part 3 of Article 135 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine);
• official negligence resulting in death (Part 3 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The article provides for up to 10 years of imprisonment.

Separately, the National Police of Ukraine is investigating the case of a convict who had beaten his cellmate.

The procedural guidance is provided by the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office.