NABU, SAPO, SSU Military Counterintelligence expose illegal border crossing scheme

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, under the operational support of the Security Service Military Counterintelligence, have exposed three State Border Guard Service (SBGS) officials and two civilians, who organized a scheme of illegal border crossing by conscripted male citizens of Ukraine. On Nov. 8-10, 2022, they were notified of suspicion of a crime under Part 3 Art. 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The suspected SBGS officials are:

• the head of one of the territorial departments of the Southern Regional Department of the SBGS;
• the head of a unit of the territorial department of the Southern Regional Department of the SBGS;
• the head of one of the operative and investigative departments of the Southern Regional Department of the SBGS.

The investigation has established that during May-September 2022, the SBGS officials, in collusion with representatives of law enforcement agencies of the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldavian Republic, organized a criminal scheme for the illegal transportation of persons to European countries through the territory of Transnistria.

In fact, people got to Transnistria outside the border crossing points, without corresponding marks in their passports. The cost of the "service" was USD 5,000. The "clients" were looked for through the relevant Telegram channels. Communication and logistics were organized by civilians. The payment for the "service" was made upon departure from Ukraine, that is, on the territory of Transnistria.

In the course of the probe, the law enforcement officers seized the means of communication and other evidence of the illegal activities under the scheme.

The investigation is ongoing. Other possible participants in the scheme are being established.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered non-guilty in the commission of a crime and cannot be subject to criminal punishment until he or she is found guilty by court.