Ukraine warns of criminal prosecution of anyone involved in Russian presidential elections in Crimea
The Ukrainian Prosecutor’s Office of the Autonomous Republic of the Crimea warns citizens of Ukraine that if they participate in organizing Russian elections in annexed Crimea, they will be charged with high treason under the Criminal Code of Ukraine,stated Deputy Prosecutor of Crimea Oleksandr Udovychenko in his commentary on Krym.Realii TV.
“If Ukrainian citizens are found guilty, then they may face sentences for treason that involve up to 15 years of imprisonment. They will also be held responsible for the illegal holding of elections that the Criminal Code categorizes as a crime as well,” Udovychenko said.
The Prosecutor’s Office noted that Russian citizens who organize and hold elections on the peninsula will be prosecuted under the Article of the Criminal Code of Ukraine “the seizure of State power” and for infringement of the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Earlier, the Prosecutor’s Office of the Autonomous Republic of the Crimea called on Crimeans not to participate in the Russian Presidential Elections in annexed Crimea. The Prosecutor’s Office also stated that they can bring to justice ten thousand election commission members who organize Russian elections on the annexed peninsula.
The Russian Presidential elections are scheduled for March 18, 2018, the anniversary of the Russian annexation of the Crimea.
President Poroshenko and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine urged against recognizing the results of the future elections of the Russian president in the annexed Crimea. Meanwhile, Russian occupiers have started to put invitations to the elections into Crimeans’ mailboxes.