SBU detains ex-MP suspected of organizing scheme to evade mobilization
The Security Service of Ukraine, together with the National Police, detained a former people's deputy and his intermediary. According to the investigation, for $10,000 they offered to arrange a fictitious disability for those liable for military service, which allowed them to avoid mobilization.
The SBU did not officially name the former parliamentarian. However, "Ukrainska Pravda," citing a source in law enforcement, reported that it is about former people's deputy of the VIII convocation Vadym Pidberezniak.
According to the investigation, the ex-MP promised to use personal connections in medical institutions of the Mykolaiv region to arrange the necessary documents.
The scheme involved several stages. First, the person liable for military service was allegedly placed in inpatient treatment for cardiological or neurological diseases. After "treatment," the man received medical documents, and later a conclusion establishing group III disability.
According to the prosecutor's office, the case involves two residents of Mykolaiv who offered a Kyiv resident help with obtaining disability for $10,000. He was to transfer the money in parts.
Law enforcement documented two transfers of $5,000 each. The ex-MP and intermediary were detained after receiving the second part of the sum for arranging the full package of documents.
Ex-MP and intermediary announced suspicions
Both persons were notified of suspicion under Part 2 of Art. 28 and Part 3 of Art. 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - abuse of influence, committed by prior agreement by a group of persons.
The sanction of the article provides for up to eight years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The court imposed pre-trial restrictions on the suspects in the form of detention with the possibility of posting bail. For one of them, the amount was more than UAH 260,000, for the other - UAH 120,000. According to "Ukrainska Pravda," as of August 26, both figures had already posted bail.
The investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement is identifying other persons who may have been involved in arranging fictitious medical documents.
What is known about Pidberezniak
Vadym Pidberezniak was a people's deputy of Ukraine of the VIII convocation. He received his mandate in December 2015 on the list of the "People's Front" party under No. 76 and was a member of the party's parliamentary faction of the same name.
In the Verkhovna Rada, he was a member of the Committee on Transport. Pidberezniak's term as a deputy ended on August 29, 2019.
Investigative actions regarding Pidberezniak in the Mykolaiv region became known as early as August 19. At that time, local media, citing sources, reported that the case could be related to assistance in evading mobilization.
Sources: Security Service of Ukraine, Ukrainska Pravda, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
