Court Overturns Verdict for Police Officer Who Reported Corpses
A cassation court in Chelyabinsk overturned the verdict for former precinct officer Yuri Zolotko. Now his case has been sent for review, which could lead to a harsher punishment.
Apr 20, 2026 0
Yuri Zolotko reported the concealment of corpses, after which he was convicted
Source:
The Seventh Cassation Court of General Jurisdiction in Chelyabinsk overturned the verdict issued to former precinct officer from Shali Yuri Zolotko. In the summer of 2025, he was sentenced to four years in a general regime colony on charges of abuse of official authority. The case of the ex-police officer has been sent for new consideration.
Three unidentified bodies were found under the burial
“We had a cassation court, and it overturned the exonerating episodes. My husband is already serving time, and they are making even worse decisions! They sent it back to the Shali District Court,” said the convicted man’s wife, Kristina Zolotko.
In 2023, Yuri Zolotko stated that his police leadership was hiding several unidentified bodies placed in a local cemetery.
After this statement, several repeat offenders simultaneously filed complaints against the precinct officer, recalling physical pain during detention several years earlier.
As a result, the former police officer was accused of beating detainees during interrogations and found guilty on these episodes.
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