In a Kharkiv pre-trial detention center, a detainee was brutally beaten and left to die without calling an ambulance

The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has officially charged seven employees of the Kharkiv pretrial detention center (SIZO) who left a beaten detainee to die in his cell.

This was reported by the SBI press service.

According to the investigation, in April, detention center staff decided to “discipline” a newly arrived suspect by placing him in a cell with a convicted inmate—a gross violation of Ukrainian law. By law, individuals whose sentences have not yet been finalized may not be held with those who have already been convicted.

Several hours after being placed in the cell, the convicted inmate severely beat the man, leaving him semi-conscious. Despite his condition, no one provided medical assistance or called for emergency help. The detention staff left the victim in a remote cell without aid, effectively waiting for him to die.

That night, the detainee died from a traumatic brain injury, multiple broken bones, internal organ damage, and soft tissue injuries. According to a forensic examination, timely medical intervention could have saved his life.

To cover up the crime, SIZO staff officially reported that the man had died during a fight in the cell, deliberately omitting the fact that he had been unlawfully transferred and that no medical assistance was provided.

The SBI has charged the former head of the detention facility, two operational officers, the duty assistant to the warden, a senior guard, and two junior inspectors. They face charges under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

• Part 3, Article 365 – Abuse of power or official authority by a law enforcement officer resulting in grave consequences;

• Part 3, Article 135 – Leaving a person in danger resulting in death;

• Part 3, Article 367 – Official negligence resulting in the death of a person.

The maximum penalty under these charges is up to 10 years in prison.