Database/Political Prisoners/Sergey Kukharchuk

Sergey Kukharchuk

Sentenced
Age: 27UkrainianArrested: 5 December 2024Sentence: 2 years
Art. 225.2Art. 226

Article 225(2) – Participation in group violence. Reclassified under Article 226.

Case Details

Sergey Kukharchuk, 27, is a Ukrainian citizen from Kherson. He does not speak Georgian and participates in his trial with the help of an interpreter. Defense has raised concerns about translation accuracy. He was arrested together with 10 others during protests. On December 5, he and Ruslan Syvakov were detained near their apartment. The prosecution's main evidence is a video showing him throwing an empty glass bottle and a plastic bottle. On July 28, 2025, he began a hunger strike to protest the ban on phone contact with relatives.

Defense Arguments

Throwing objects was not intentional and not targeting anyone. Concerns about translation accuracy.

Procedural Issues

Case against him was fabricated overnight. Ban on phone contact with relatives. Restriction on media coverage.

Personal Background

27-year-old Ukrainian citizen from Kherson. Has wife and two children. Does not speak Georgian.

Hunger Strike

This prisoner is currently on or has previously been on a hunger strike.

Timeline of Key Dates

5 December 2024
Arrested near rented apartment
28 July 2025
Began hunger strike
30 July 2025
Ended hunger strike after Public Defender intervention