Law enforcement in Lviv region uncovers scheme of illegal transport of conscripts abroad
The suspects created fictitious individual entrepreneurs authorized for international cargo and passenger transport and entered conscripted men into the ‘Shlyakh’ system, allowing them to exit Ukraine during martial law. After leaving the country, the fictitious transporters did not return but remained abroad.
Group Composition and Law Enforcement Actions
The group consisted of six individuals – residents of Lviv, Ternopil, and Zakarpattia regions. They were exposed by officers of the Migration Police Department in Lviv region in collaboration with the officers of the Operational-Search Activities Department of the Western Regional Directorate of the State Border Service of Ukraine and investigators from the special crimes investigation unit of Lviv region police, with forceful support from the special assignment police battalion of Lviv region and procedural guidance from the Specialized Defense Prosecutor’s Office of the Western Region.
During sanctioned searches, law enforcement seized cash obtained from illegal activities totaling more than 23 thousand dollars, drafts, communication devices, and other evidence of involvement in crimes.
The issue of charging them with a criminal offense under Part 3 of Article 332 (Illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is being addressed. The sanction of the article stipulates a sentence of imprisonment for 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 investigation is ongoing, and the court will soon choose pre-trial measures for the suspects.
Additional Uncovering
Furthermore, officers of the Migration Police Department in Lviv region in collaboration with officers of the 7th Carpathian Border Squad and investigators of Sambir District Police Department, under the guidance of Sambir District Prosecutor’s Office, uncovered a 42-year-old resident of Drohobych city who, for 12 thousand dollars, took it upon himself to illegally transport a conscripted man from Ukraine to the Republic of Poland outside the checkpoints during martial law.
The offender developed a detailed plan and route for the illegal border crossing, provided the ‘client’ with instructions on actions during the transition to the neighboring state’s territory, and organized delivery to the crossing point.
On April 8, law enforcement detained the suspect under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine after he received 12 thousand dollars from the ‘client’.
During sanctioned searches in the car and residence of the detained, cash obtained from illegal activities, drafts, communication devices, and other evidence of involvement in the crime were discovered and seized.
He was charged with a criminal offense under Part 3 of Article 332 (Illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The sanction of the article stipulates a sentence of imprisonment for 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 investigation is ongoing, and the court will soon choose a pre-trial measure for the suspect.
National Police of Ukraine Lviv Region Prosecutor’s Office Specialized Prosecutor’s Office of Defense of the Western Region Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.