Investigators have brought charges against a man under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which could result in up to seven years in prison.

During the investigation, it was determined that in April, during the curfew, a 43-year-old resident of a village in the Odesa region heard loud music coming from a neighbor's house. Instead of calling the police, he decided to confront them directly.

To attract the neighbors' attention, the man fired a shot into the air from a pistol he had previously found and kept without proper authorization. When the couple came out to investigate the noise, he struck both of them on the head with the weapon's handle and assaulted them with his hands and feet.

According to forensic medical experts, the victims sustained minor injuries.

Police who arrived at the scene seized the pistol and 37 cartridges for further examination. The expert findings revealed that the pistol had been modified into a smoothbore firearm, and the cartridges were live ammunition suitable for use.

«We have gathered enough evidence to bring charges of hooliganism, which is a serious violation of public order motivated by blatant disrespect for society, accompanied by particular audacity, and committed using an object specifically adapted for causing bodily harm, as well as the illegal acquisition, storage, and carrying of firearms without a legal permit. According to the sanctions of part 4 of Article 296 and part 1 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the man faces up to seven years of imprisonment. The investigation is complete, and the indictment has been sent to court. The state prosecution will be represented by the Dobroslav District Prosecutor's Office», stated the head of the investigative unit of police department No. 3, Serhiy Kumaihgorodskyi.

Note: According to part 3 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, a person who voluntarily surrenders firearms to the authorities is not liable for illegal possession, storage, acquisition, transfer, or sale of firearms (except for smoothbore hunting weapons) and ammunition.

We also remind that there is an ongoing campaign in Ukraine regarding the declaration of firearms. Citizens who illegally possess or find firearms and their components or ammunition must declare them. This will exempt them from criminal liability.