Ex-officer from Belgorod sentenced to 21 years in prison for aiding terrorism

Former Belgorod official Viktoria Shinkaruk (listed as a terrorist and extremist in the Russian Federation) was sentenced to 21 years in prison in the case of promoting terrorist activities. This was reported to "Izvestia" in court on December 19.

They also specified that her accomplice Alexander Kholodkov (listed as a terrorist and extremist in the Russian Federation) also received 21 years in a strict regime colony. He will spend the first five years in prison, the rest - in a special regime colony.

According to the defense version, Shinkaruk wrote her ex-husband, surnamed Kisel, who is in Ukraine, and sent her Br107 thousand. The woman was to withdraw Br100 thousand and transfer them to an unknown person through a safe deposit box, and take the rest as a reward. The accused then complied with the request, leaving the money in the urn, and sent the ex-spouse a confirming video. Shinkaruk, according to the defense, did not know what she was handing over the money for or to whom. The same thing happened with Kholodkov. Kisel, being his childhood friend, asked to leave a package with Br500 thousand in the urn, for which he was given a reward of Br10 thousand.

In August, Shinkaruk and Kholodkov were accused of complicity in terrorist activities in the interests of their Ukrainian handlers. The defendants not only handed over money worth about Br500 thousand to prepare a terrorist attack, but also planted explosives in caches. They were also accused of a number of crimes, including participation in a terrorist community, preparation for a terrorist act by a group of persons by prior conspiracy, as well as preparation for the illegal manufacture of explosives. They did not admit their guilt.

In September, the attackers were added to the list of terrorists and extremists in the Russian Federation.