Mariupol "people's mayor" Fomenko charged with creating terrorist group
KYIV. June 17 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian Security Service has opened a criminal case against Alexander Fomenko, the so-called people's mayor of Mariupol, Donetsk region, who is suspected of creating a terrorist organization or group.
The police have determined that Fomenko was involved in the takeover of the building of the department for the prevention of organized crime of the Mariupol Main Directorate of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry's Main Department in the Donetsk region, the press center for the Ukrainian Security Service reported on Monday.
A criminal case was opened based on evidence of a crime enshrined by Part 1 of Article 258-3 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code (creation of a terrorist group or a terrorist organization).
The crime is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
The suspect has been put into custody under a court ruling.
Fomenko was detained in central Mariupol on June 12. The press service for the Ukrainian National Guard has reported that Nikolai Lisogor, "the head of the Donetsk People's Republic committee of Mariupol," and Donetsk People's Republic activist Sergei Zimnitsky were detained together with Fomenko.
According to the press service, a lot of political materials intended for dissemination, as well as weapons and ammunition, were seized during the detention. The detainees were turned over to the Ukrainian Security Service bodies.