The youth behind bars: how Russian occupiers imprisoned two boys from Genichesk for 8.5 and 5 years on trumped-up charges

On September 12, 2024 it became known that the First Court of Appeal of General Jurisdiction of Moscow left unchanged the sentence passed by the so-called “Kherson Regional Court” against two residents of Genichesk – Evgen Hess (born in 2004) and Daniil Miroshnichenko (born in 2005).

They were found “guilty” of committing crimes under part 1 of article 30, part 1 of article 281 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. 1 article 281 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (preparation for sabotage) and paragraph “a” of part 3 of article 222.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (illegal storage of explosives or explosive devices).

According to the FSB version, from December 2022 to March 2023, the guys, allegedly acting under the guidance of Ukrainian special services, planned to blow up a railroad bridge in the village of Salkovo in the Kherson region. The occupiers claim that 21.6 kilograms of explosives and a device for remote detonation were found in the houses of the detainees and in a cache arranged by them.

The press service of the “Department of Federal Security Service” of Russia in the Kherson region” said:

“Taking into account the opinion of the state prosecutor, the court appointed Hess E.V. punishment of 8 years and 6 months of imprisonment with serving  a sentence in a penal colony of strict regime, and Miroshnichenko D.A. – 5 years of imprisonment with serving a sentence in a penal colony of general regime.”

The press service also noted that the “verdict” immediately came into force.

The Crimean Tatar Resource Center notes the illegality of the spread of criminal legislation of the Russian Federation in the occupied territories of Ukraine. Eugen Hess and Daniil Miroshnichenko are Ukrainian young men, and the fact that they are being tried as dangerous criminals on trumped up charges is another proof of the purposeful repressive policy of the Russian Federation against the citizens of Ukraine, in particular the younger generation. This is yet another crime of the occupiers that should not be left unpunished!