Prosecutors in the Kherson region have announced 237 charges related to the organization of a pseudo-referendum, according to the prosecutor's office

In the Kherson region, 237 people have been notified that they are suspected of involvement in cases related to the organization and conduct of the Russian pseudo-referendum in the temporarily occupied territories. Another 107 people are suspected of activities related to the conduct of illegal “elections.”

According to Vitaliy Nikitin, law enforcement officials have already documented previous illegal “electoral” processes in the temporarily occupied territory of the Kherson region.

“Law enforcement agencies have already documented previous illegal ‘electoral’ processes in the temporarily occupied territory of the Kherson region. Specifically, 237 individuals have been notified of suspicion regarding the organization and conduct of a pseudo-referendum, under the procedural supervision of the region’s prosecutor’s office. Another 107 individuals have been notified of suspicion in connection with activities related to the conduct of illegal ‘elections,’” Nikitin said.

In total, this involves 344 individuals who have already been notified of suspicion as part of the relevant proceedings.

Vitaliy Nikitin emphasized that no Russian “electoral” procedures alter the status of Ukrainian territories.

At the same time, the prosecutor’s office representative noted that it is important to distinguish between the situation of people living under occupation and the actions of those who voluntarily assist the occupying authorities in organizing illegal electoral processes.

According to him, the Criminal Code of Ukraine provides for criminal liability, in particular, for participating in the organization and conduct of illegal “elections,” working in illegal electoral bodies, campaigning, and other forms of assistance to the occupying administration.

Earlier, in the temporarily occupied part of the Kherson region, Russia organized a sham election to the State Duma of the Russian Federation. According to journalist Oleg Baturin, the occupiers set up propaganda photo zones at some polling stations and attempted to entice people to participate in the so-called voting.

Ukrainian authorities and law enforcement agencies consider such procedures to be illegal and without legal consequences for the status of Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories.

This was reported by Vitaliy Nikitin, deputy head of the Kherson Regional Prosecutor’s Office.

Earlier, law enforcement officials served charges in absentia against two Kherson residents suspected of participating in the organization and conduct of an illegal “referendum” on the region’s annexation to the Russian Federation. According to the investigation, they were members of the occupying “election commission” and helped conduct the sham vote. Both women are currently in hiding in the temporarily occupied territory.

A court found a 27-year-old resident of the Kherson region guilty of collaboration for her participation in organizing the illegal “referendum” held by Russian occupiers in 2022.