The SBI blocked another scheme of illegal movement of conscripts abroad. Evaders were transported in diving suits
Another channel for smuggling men of military age across the state border of Ukraine has been uncovered by SBI agents.
Its organiser is a resident of the Kharkiv region. He escaped mobilisation last year by illegally crossing the border. After his escape, the crook decided to make money from deserters like himself.
To make the "business plan" work, he involved three of his acquaintances who had stayed in Ukraine. One of them is an employee of the Ukrainian State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, and the other two are civilians.
The route developed by the traffickers was outside the customs checkpoints in the south-western regions of Ukraine. After delivering the "clients" to the border crossing with Moldova, they would cross one of the local rivers. To do this, they were given neoprene suits. The organiser met them on the Moldovan side.
The cost of the service was 5,000 US dollars.
At the present time, the 3 defendants have been notified of the suspicion of organising the illegal transfer of persons across the state border of Ukraine, committed by a group of persons for mercenary motives (Part 2 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Two of them are in custody.
The penalty under this article is imprisonment for up to 7 years.
The organiser of the plot, who is hiding abroad, was served with a notice of suspicion in absentia on the fact of organising the illegal transfer of persons across the state border of Ukraine, managing such actions committed by a group of persons, for mercenary motives (Part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The penalty under this article is imprisonment for up to 9 years.
The case is being prosecuted by the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office.
Earlier, the SBI had served a notice of suspicion on a law enforcement officer who also organised a scheme for the illegal transfer of persons of military age across the state border of Ukraine.
