The State Bureau of Investigation has completed a pre-trial investigation into Oleh Timchenko, an officer from the Office of the Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who gave grenades to his deceased colleague Gennadiy Chastyakov, and is charged with negligent homicide, Komersant ukrainskyi reports.
The defendant was informed of the change in the previously reported suspicion.
“He is suspected of stealing, misappropriating and selling ammunition, negligent homicide and causing grievous bodily harm by negligence (Part 4 of Article 410, Part 1 of Article 263, Part 1 of Article 119, Article 128 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine),” the statement said,
– the statement said.
The sanction of the articles provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for up to 15 years.
At the initial stage of the pre-trial investigation, Timchenko was served a notice of suspicion of illegal sale of ammunition. On that tragic day (6 November 2023), the man gave Chastiakov an explosive “gift” of grenades in honour of his birthday.
At the same time, he did not warn his colleague about the authenticity of the grenades and did not make sure that he and others present in the office understood that he was giving explosive devices, the SBI said.
As a result, when unpacking the “gift” at home, one of the grenades exploded in the hands of Chastiakov, who was sure that they were souvenir glasses, the Bureau said.
The soldier died on the spot from his wounds, and his minor son sustained serious injuries.
After the defence and the victims have familiarised themselves with the pre-trial investigation, the case will be sent to court.