Ukraine puts 'head of Crimean election commission' on wanted list

"On Sunday, September 8, 2019, the election of deputies to the so-called 'State Council of the Republic of Crimea' is to take place in the territory of the temporarily occupied peninsula. The said illegal vote is being organized by the head of the 'election commission of the Republic of Crimea,' who on March 16, 2014 ensured the holding of an illegal 'all-Crimean referendum,' with which the top leadership of the Russian Federation is trying to legitimize the seizure of the Ukrainian peninsula," according to a report posted on the official website of the Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

As part of criminal proceedings, the head of the "election commission of the Republic of Crimea" was informed about suspicion of treason, encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine and committing actions aimed at seizing state power. The said person was placed on the wanted list. A court satisfied the request of the Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and granted permission to conduct a special pretrial investigation against the head of the "election commission" who is avoiding criminal liability.

"Thus, the court agreed to bring the suspect to criminal liability (in absentia), that is, in his actual absence," the report said.

The prosecutor's office appealed to residents of Crimea with the request not to participate in illegal elections organized by Russia on the peninsula.

"Taking this opportunity, we appeal to residents of Crimea not to participate in illegal elections in the territory of the temporarily occupied peninsula. We also ask them to inform the law enforcement authorities of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea about all known facts of the organization and holding of illegal elections," the prosecutor's office said.

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