Russian prosecutor seeks up to 28 years for eight accused in Crimea plot
In short
Russian state prosecutors have asked a military court to sentence eight defendants to between 10 and 28 years in prison over an alleged Ukrainian intelligence network that planned attacks and assassinations targeting Crimea's leadership. Interfax and Kommersant, both citing the Southern District Military Court's press service, said the group is accused of state treason, organising a terrorist community, terrorism and arms smuggling. The defendants were detained in April 2023; most deny guilt, while one admitted guilt but denied acting as part of an organised group.
Why it matters
The case is being heard by a military court and rests on charges of treason and terrorism that carry sentences of up to life imprisonment in Russia, so the outcome will matter for how similar cross-border sabotage cases are prosecuted. The documents give no further basis for assessing the wider consequences.
Key facts
- Prosecutors asked the Southern District Military Court to impose sentences of 10 to 28 years on eight defendants, the court's press service said (Interfax, Kommersant). [ 2 , 3 ]
- The longest term requested was 28 years, for Viktor Podvalny, identified as the head of the alleged agent network. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Kirill Barannik and Denis Petranov were each requested to receive 22 years; Igor Zorin, Sergei Krivoshein and Sergei Voinarovsky 20 years each; Yelena Voinarovskaya and Olga Kravchuk 10 years each. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The defendants face charges under articles 275, 205.4, 205.3, 205, 226.1 and 222.1 of the Russian Criminal Code, covering state treason, organising and joining a terrorist community, terrorist training, a terrorist act, smuggling and illegal handling of explosives. [ 2 , 3 ]
- According to the prosecution, the group planned attacks on Crimea head Sergei Aksyonov, parliament speaker Vladimir Konstantinov, Yalta head Yanina Pavlenko and a Russian Defence Ministry serviceman. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Barannik is additionally accused of blowing up railway tracks in the Simferopol district in February 2023. [ 2 ]
- Most defendants pleaded not guilty; Barannik admitted guilt but denied taking part in an organised group. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Kommersant reported that Yevmenenko and Litvinenko had already been convicted earlier. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Prosecutors requested prison terms of 10 to 28 years for eight defendants in the case, according to the court's press service. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The charges include state treason, organising a terrorist community, terrorist training, a terrorist act, smuggling and illegal handling of explosives. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Most defendants deny guilt; Kirill Barannik admitted guilt but denied participation in an organised group. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Prosecutors allege the group planned attacks on Crimea head Sergei Aksyonov, parliament speaker Vladimir Konstantinov and Yalta head Yanina Pavlenko. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the court has delivered a verdict or when it will. Both documents describe only the prosecution's sentencing request, not a ruling.
- The outcome of the cases against Konstantin Yevmenenko and Aleksandr Litvinenko, whom Kommersant says were convicted earlier. Kommersant's article is truncated at that point and Interfax does not mention them.
- The location of the trial, beyond the Southern District Military Court. The documents do not state the city where the court is sitting.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- RIA Novosti reports the prosecutor's sentencing request in the Crimea assassination plot case. [ 1 ]
- Interfax publishes the list of defendants and the terms requested, citing the Southern District Military Court's press service. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant adds detail on the alleged recruitment organiser, the supply route and earlier convictions in the case. [ 3 ]