Military-age men border crossing scheme: regional council deputy suspected
NABU and SAPO exposed a deputy and his accomplice, who received undue advantage to influence officials of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine for unimpeded crossing of the state border by draftees.
According to the investigation, a deputy of the Zakarpattia Regional Council offered to organize the crossing of the state border by military-age men outside official border checkpoints. To implement the scheme, he turned to a respected individual who had influence over the employees of the State Border Guard Service and facilitated unhindered transportation across the border.
The cost of the "service" was EUR 10,000 per person.
The deputy also offered to arrange for the client's transportation from Kyiv to the border, as well as re-entry into Ukraine if necessary.
The perpetrators were caught red-handed after receiving EUR 20,000.
The deputy has been officially notified of suspicion under Part 3 Article 332, Part 2 Article 28, and Part 2 Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. His accomplice has been detained, pending charges.
According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered not-guilty in the commission of a crime and cannot be subject to criminal punishment until he or she is found guilty by court.