In Zakarpattia, law enforcement officers exposed for transporting conscripts for $33 thousand

Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation have exposed law enforcement officers in Zakarpattia who are suspected of organizing the illegal transportation of conscripted men abroad. The cost of such a "service" was $33 thousand.

According to the investigation, the suspects organized a channel through which conscripted men were to illegally leave the territory of Ukraine. The law enforcement officers expected to receive tens of thousands of dollars for organizing the exit and accompanying the deal.

The SBI qualifies the incident as a scheme for the illegal transportation of people across the state border. The investigation is establishing the circumstances of its operation and all persons who may have been involved in it.

Special attention in such proceedings is paid to the possible use by participants of their official position or official information. The final legal assessment of the actions of each suspect should be given based on the results of the pre-trial investigation.

Organizing illegal border crossing faces imprisonment

Criminal liability for the illegal transportation of persons across the state border is provided for in Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. This includes, in particular, organizing illegal border crossing, directing such actions, as well as facilitating them with advice, instructions, provision of means, or removal of obstacles.

If such actions are committed by an organized group or for mercenary motives with other aggravating circumstances provided by law, the punishment can reach nine years of imprisonment with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities, as well as confiscation of property.

Zakarpattia region remains one of the main regions where law enforcement agencies regularly detect channels of illegal crossing of the western border by conscripts. Organizers of such schemes offer both direct escort to the border outside checkpoints and various ways to bypass border control.

At the same time, the SBI's report about a new case does not mean the guilt of the suspects has been proven. According to the legislation of Ukraine, they are considered innocent until their guilt is established by a conviction of the court.

Based on materials from: State Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Code of Ukraine