The police of Lviv region have apprehended the organizers of an illegal scheme to transport conscripts to the EU.
It has been established that three residents of the Zakarpattia region, including a 54-year-old organizer, a 49-year-old man, and his 51-year-old common-law wife, organized a channel for the illegal transport of conscripted men from Ukraine to the European Union. This was conducted outside official checkpoints.
The perpetrators developed detailed plans and routes for the illegal border crossing, provided “clients” with instructions on the procedures for entering the neighboring country, organized accommodation in Zakarpattia, and arranged transportation using several vehicles to circumvent checkpoints to the crossing point at the border. The cost for this “service” ranged from 7000 to 8000 dollars.
The suspects were uncovered by operatives of the Division of Migration Police and investigators of the Department for Investigation of Especially Serious Crimes of the Investigative Department of Lviv Police, in conjunction with operatives from the Main Department for Internal and Own Security “West” of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, under the procedural guidance of the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office in the Defense Sphere of the Western Region.
On October 9, law enforcement officers detained the scheme’s organizer according to Art. 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code in the Zakarpattia region after he received 4000 dollars from “clients” (the second part of the agreed funds) and 8000 dollars (full payment for the illegal border crossing service). His accomplices were also apprehended.
During authorized searches, law enforcement officers discovered and confiscated from the suspects: a vehicle used for their criminal activities, communication devices, rough notes, and other material evidence.
The perpetrators have been notified of suspicion of committing a criminal offense under Part 3 of Art. 332 (Illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The sanction of the article provides for a punishment of imprisonment for a term of seven to nine years with the deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years, with confiscation of property.
Pre-trial investigations are ongoing, and the court has selected preventive measures for the suspects—detention with the possibility of posting bail.