Photo: krotevych_bohdan / Instagram,Гордон
Refusal to Initiate Separate Criminal Case
The State Bureau of Investigations (DBR) has currently opted not to open a separate criminal case regarding the actions of former Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Yuriy Sodol, who was previously responsible for a significant part of the front. The impetus for such an investigation could have been a statement by Major Bohdan Krotevich, Chief of Staff of the 12th Special Operations Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine “Azov”. This was reported by “Ukrainska Pravda” and DeepState on Saturday, June 29, 2024.
Statement by Major Bohdan Krotevich
According to Espreso.tv , DBR responded to Krotevich that his statement regarding possible exceeding of official powers and incompetent command of troops by Commander of the Joint Forces “Khortytsia” Yuriy Sodol has been reviewed. As a result of processing, it has been included in the materials of a factual criminal case regarding the circumstances of the breach of the Ukrainian border by Russian military forces in the Kharkiv region. This investigation provides legal assessment of the actions of the military command of the Joint Forces “Khortytsia” during the planning and conduct of defensive operations.
DBR also promised to verify the circumstances presented by “Azov’s” representative.
DeepState’s Position
DeepState, on the other hand, describes DBR’s position as one that “does not fit within the framework of the law and is shocking,” as DBR is obligated to enter information into the Unified Register of Pretrial Investigations (ERDR) and initiate a pre-trial investigation upon receiving a statement.
Lack of Sufficient Evidence of Criminal Offense
“However, based on this situation, DBR investigators did not find sufficient evidence in Krotevich’s statement to indicate a criminal offense. In the event that the circumstances of a criminal offense are not established, the statement is considered in accordance with Ukrainian law on citizens’ appeals. A response within 5 days without entering information into ERDR may indicate this procedural consideration,” concludes DeepState.
