The so-called "governor" of the Kherson region, Volodymyr Saldo, under whose leadership Ukrainian grain was exported from the temporarily occupied region and passed off as Russian, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. This was reported by the Prosecutor General's Office, adding that this is already the third verdict against him, UNN reports.
Details
Prosecutors proved that in 2022, the convicted Saldo headed the occupation administration of the Kherson region. In this position, he pressured local businesses, facilitated the seizure of enterprises, and implemented the Russian Federation's policy of appropriating Ukrainian assets.
In October 2022, he ordered subordinates to remove grain crops stored at PJSC "Kherson Bakery Plant" that belonged to Ukrainian entrepreneurs. Executing this order, representatives of the occupation authorities, together with the Russian military, illegally transported about 3,000 tons of grain worth nearly 15 million UAH to the left bank of the Kherson region via three barges during October-November 2022.
The court found him guilty of issuing an order to violate the laws and customs of war and imposed a sentence of 15 years of imprisonment (Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The verdict was delivered in absentia. The convict will serve his sentence after his actual detention
As reported by the Prosecutor General's Office, this is already the third verdict against him. Previously, courts twice found him guilty of crimes against the foundations of Ukraine's national security and cooperation with the aggressor state. Specifically, in November 2023, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for high treason, collaborative activities, and justification of the Russian Federation's armed aggression against Ukraine, and in April 2024, to another 15 years in prison for a series of crimes against national security.