"Minister of Income and Fees of the DPR" will be judged in absentia in Donetsk region

The Prosecutor's Office of Donetsk region sent to the court an indictment for conviction in absentia of the "Minister of Income and Fees of the DPR," – reports the agency press-service.

A pre-trial investigation against the so-called "Minister of Income and Fees of the DPR", who is accused of committing a criminal offense under Part 1 of Art. 258-3 of the Criminal Code (participation in a terrorist group or a terrorist organization) has been completed under the procedural guidance of the Prosecutor’s Office of Donetsk region.

"It was found during the investigation that in November 2014 a 45-year-old Donetsk resident joined the "DPR" terrorist organization on his own initiative, taking the position of "Minister of Income and Fees of the DPR. "His powers included setting up and implementing taxation process of business entities, legal entities and individuals operating on the territory of the unrecognized republic,"- said the statement.

Holding position till now, he "issues criminal orders to carry out illegal collection of funds from legal entities and physical entities, entrepreneurs in the form of income tax and excise tax deducted to the "republican budget", as well as other kinds of taxes."

"The so-called "minister" issues orders to conduct inspections at the enterprises, institutions and organizations, as well as brings to financial responsibility in for recorded violations. Thus, the defendant violates by his actions the constitutional rights of Ukrainian citizens living on the temporarily occupied territory Donetsk region," – said the statement.

As the offender is still on the territories that are not controlled by Ukrainian authorities, doesn’t come to the investigator for interrogation, the Prosecutor's Office decided to bring the case to court for conviction in absentia of the terrorist accomplice.

The offender may face up to 15 years in prison.