Two Russian servicemen suspected of war crimes for robbing and detaining civilians

This was reported on Facebook by the press service of the SBU Office in the Sumy region.

In February-March 2022, two servicemen from the 423rd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 4th Tank Division, part of the 1st Tank Army of the Western Military District of the Russian Armed Forces, were involved in the capture of the city of Trostianets, Sumy region.

They were Lieutenant Garik Muradyan, commander of the 2nd motorized rifle platoon of the 5th motorized rifle company of the 2nd motorized rifle battalion, and Private Alexei Belyaev, driver of the 2nd motorized rifle squad of the same platoon and company.

"During the occupation, the two servicemen, along with several colleagues, who are currently being identified, robbed local residents using illegal detention. The invaders, threatening people with weapons, took away money and valuables, damaged property for fun and drove them out of their homes," the SBU said.

Law enforcers documented that seven residents of Trostianets suffered from the criminal actions of the identified servicemen.

Both defendants were served suspicion notices in absentia under Part 2 Article 28, Part 1 Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the laws and customs of war committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy).

Note: According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and shall not be criminally punished until his or her guilt is proved by law and established by a court verdict of guilty.

• Earlier in August, law enforcement officers served suspicion notices to the Russian military who tortured an SBU colonel in Bucha, as well as to a Russian special forces officer who tried to kill a 50-year-old civilian in Kyiv region.
• In addition, the SBU served a notice of suspicion to a general of the Russian Guard who led the crackdown on peaceful protests during the occupation of Kherson region.