In Rivne region, a scheme for the illegal smuggling of persons liable for military service abroad was uncovered: two servicemen detained

In Rivne region, a scheme for the illegal smuggling of persons liable for military service abroad was uncovered: two servicemen detained

In Rivne region, law enforcement officers have exposed two servicemen suspected of organizing a scheme to illegally transport conscripts out of Ukraine.

This was reported by the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office in the field of defence of the Western region.

According to the investigation, two servicemen from one of the units in Rivne region set up a scheme allowing conscripts to leave their place of service and subsequently travel abroad illegally.

Investigators established that one of the "clients" was a recently mobilized soldier who wanted to evade military service. To carry out the plan, the suspects offered the basic military training instructor one thousand US dollars.

In exchange for the money, the instructor was to arrange the removal of the mobilized soldier from the military unit’s territory and deliver him to a temporary hiding place before the illegal crossing of the state border.

Law enforcement officers detained the suspects after they attempted to carry out another episode of illegal activity.

Under the procedural guidance of the Rivne Specialized Prosecutor’s Office in the field of defence of the Western region, the servicemen were notified of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 369 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (proposal and provision of unlawful benefit to an official) and Part 2 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine).

The court imposed preventive measures in the form of bail on the suspects. At the same time, the prosecutor’s office is appealing these decisions, considering them too lenient.

Currently, law enforcement officers are checking the possible involvement of the suspects in other similar episodes and identifying potential accomplices.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by investigators of the Rivne Region Police under the operational support of the Department of Internal Security of the National Police of Ukraine and the Security Service of Ukraine.

The sanctions of the incriminated articles provide for punishment in the form of imprisonment for up to eight years with confiscation of property.