The Mykolaiv Court of Appeal reviewed the defense’s appeal and left Kherson Regional Council deputy Valeriy Saltykov, who is suspected of collaborationist activity, in custody.
This was reported by his lawyer Mykhailo Velychko.
Velychko notes that the charged crime is minor, since “the article’s sanction provides for punishment of up to 5 years’ imprisonment.” The lawyer called the appellate court’s decision “unjustified” and announced his intention to soon initiate a review of the preventive measure in the court of first instance.
Recall that Saltykov was detained in Odesa. He had gone there to be with his family after reaching the age of 60.
According to investigators, after the occupation of Kherson region he organized the operation of controlled enterprises under Russian law and established cooperation with the occupation administration.
These are companies in the fields of vehicle maintenance and grain cultivation that in 2022 were re-registered under Russian legislation. After that the enterprises began to pay taxes to the Russian budget.
The investigation also believes that together with accomplices the deputy established control over several other agricultural enterprises in the Kakhovka district that were transferred under Russian jurisdiction.
Overall, the suspects controlled at least eight companies.
Saltykov was responsible for obtaining permits from the occupation authorities, organizing the operation of the enterprises according to Russian rules, registering equipment, and submitting reports to the occupation authorities.
On May 30 a preventive measure was imposed on Valeriy Saltykov in the form of detention.
In June the court seized his property.
Earlier MOST reported that Saltykov’s business partner Yevhen Zhydov was notified of suspicion.
It is known that Saltykov has headed the Kakhovka District State Administration since 2015.
In 2020 he was elected a deputy of the Kherson Regional Council from the party “European Solidarity”.
Saltykov is the head of the Kakhovka district party organization of the “Soyuz” Party of Kherson region, as well as the chairman of the council of the NGO “Kakhovshchyna Development Agency” and chairman of the Kakhovka city NGO “Council of Entrepreneurs”.
He is a beneficiary of the private enterprise “Graal Pivden”, which is engaged in leasing and the operation of its own or leased real estate.