The National Police of Ukraine has served a notice of suspicion under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine on a representative of the occupation prosecution office for the torture of a civilian resident of Starobilsk in 2022.

What is known about the suspect

Maksym Furman (born February 12, 1986) is a native of the city of Stakhanov (now Kadiivka) in Luhansk region. In the second half of March 2022, following the occupation of Starobilsk, he voluntarily joined an illegal armed formation — the so-called “prosecutor’s office of the Starobilsk district of the LPR” — where he took the position of investigator.

Circumstances of the crime

In late March 2022, at around 7 a.m., a group of armed individuals in camouflage with Russian “Z” markings forced their way into a private house at 3 Stakhanova Street in Starobilsk, where a local resident lived.

Immediately upon entering, Furman struck the homeowner in the forehead with a rifle butt without any warning, causing him to lose consciousness. While he was unconscious, the occupiers tied his hands and feet and dragged him to the kitchen.

When the victim regained consciousness, he was interrogated and forced to disclose information about hidden money, valuables, and weapons. Furman and an unidentified accomplice beat the man with their hands and feet and threatened him with violence.

Later that same day, the man was unlawfully detained and taken to the premises of the Starobilsk Vocational Lyceum. Interrogations there lasted for more than 12 consecutive hours. During this time, he was denied water, food, and medication he required for health reasons. He was not allowed to sit and was prevented from relieving himself.

At around 10 p.m., he was finally released and allowed to return home.

Notice of suspicion

The Starobilsk Investigation Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Luhansk region has charged Furman under Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — cruel treatment of civilians.

He is accused of violating several provisions of international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons and Additional Protocol I — namely inhuman treatment, threats of killing, and unlawful deprivation of liberty of a civilian.

The criminal proceeding was registered in the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations under No. 12024130000001194 on June 26, 2024.