Under the procedural supervision of the Lviv Specialised Defence Prosecutor’s Office of the Western Region, a 55-year-old Kharkiv resident was served a notice of suspicion of organising illegal trafficking of persons across the state border of Ukraine (Part 3 Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
This was reported by the Specialised Prosecutor’s Office of the Western Region.
According to the investigation, the suspect arranged for volunteers of a charity organisation to work for people liable for military service who are legally restricted from travelling outside the country during the war. He entered their data into the Shlyakh system, which allowed them to enter the European Union without hindrance and not return.
It was established that he advised “clients and sometimes helped to transport them directly through checkpoints in Lviv and Zakarpattia regions. The price of the “services” ranged from 1 to 7 thousand US dollars. Several episodes of such criminal activity were documented.
The suspect was detained in accordance with Art. 208 of the CPC of Ukraine and a measure of restraint was chosen. The involvement of other persons in the scheme is being checked.
The pre-trial investigation is being carried out by investigators of the Main Department of the National Police in Lviv region based on the materials of the SBU Office in Lviv region.
For reference: the sanction of the article provides for a sentence of 7 to 9 years in prison with a three-year disqualification to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a fixed term and confiscation of property.
Note: Pursuant to Article 62(1) of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person shall be presumed innocent of committing a crime and shall not be subjected to criminal punishment until his or her guilt is proved in accordance with the law and established by a court verdict of guilty.