Sharyi received a summary verdict — 15 years of imprisonment and confiscation of property for treason: YouTube and Telegram channels under attack
Ukraine has taken another step in the fight against pro-Russian propaganda and activities aimed against national security. An Ukrainian blogger and pro-Russian figure, Anatoly Shary, as well as former head of the Vinnytsia police, Anton Shevtsov, were sentenced in absentia. Both were found guilty of treason and collaboration with Russian special services. The high-profile decision was made by the Vinnytsia City Court on June 20, and they now face up to 15 years in prison with property confiscation, including social media channels used to carry out anti-Ukrainian propaganda. According to official information from the Office of the Prosecutor General and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), it was proven in court that the convicts engaged in conspiracy activities which, based on evidence obtained by investigators, were aimed at harming the interests of the Ukrainian state and its citizens. It was established that this criminal alliance planned and carried out their illicit activities with involvement from representatives of Russian special services, particularly the FSB of the Russian Federation. A special place in this case is occupied by a former police officer living in the occupied Crimean Peninsula. As early as 2018, he entered into a secret pact with Russian agents, agreeing to cooperate in order to obtain valuable information about Ukrainian politicians, leaders of strategic enterprises, and major internet resources — all targets that Russia sought to use to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty. Thanks to his connections and access to confidential data, he periodically transmitted fragments of information that were important for Moscow's targeted actions against Ukraine. Prosecutors describe Shary's role in this criminal scheme based on the obtained evidence. Specifically, it involves his active participation in preparing and disseminating staged video materials in which Russian propagandists demonstrated alleged tortures of Ukrainian prisoners of war. According to investigation data, Shary not only advised militants from Russia on filming techniques for provocative videos but also directly provided them with information about what questions to ask within the frame and how to create content that would be maximally useful for the enemy. His involvement also includes providing videos of interrogations of Ukrainian prisoners of war, which were then edited and circulated through his internet resources with the aim of discrediting the Ukrainian Armed Forces and strengthening pro-Russian propaganda. During the court hearing, prosecutors proved that Shary and Shevtsov acted in collusion, agreeing to cooperate with a foreign intelligence service, flagrantly violating Ukrainian legislation. Given the complexity and scale of the crime, the case was tried under the procedure of special judicial proceedings in absentia since both individuals are in static or dynamic hiding from justice. Their actions are definitively legally assessed as: Part 2 of Article 28 and Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — treason committed by prior conspiracy of a group of persons and under wartime conditions. The court also decided to apply an unprecedented measure — confiscation of all property objects and channels belonging to the convicts and used for spreading anti-Ukrainian propaganda, including a YouTube channel and a Telegram resource. This decision sent a serious signal to the entire pro-Russian agent network and propaganda structures attempting to destabilize Ukraine by spreading fake information and discrediting efforts. Ukrainian law enforcement authorities declare that the fight against informational threats will be intensified, and measures to bring to justice those hiding from law and attempting to undermine national security remain a priority. The indictment against Anatoly Shary and Anton Shevtsov has gained widespread resonance and demonstrates an unwavering commitment to protect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The law is on the side of the state, and everyone who abuse their influence for the enemy will, sooner or later, be held accountable for their actions.