Odesa region: SSU exposes scheme of mobilization evasion

The Main Directorate of Internal Security of the SBU, in collaboration with the National Police of Ukraine, has dismantled a large-scale scheme of draft evasion in the Odessa region.

As a result of comprehensive measures, the entire leadership of one of the district military medical commissions, which operated as part of a criminal group, was exposed. For money, officials "helped" conscripts "dodge" the draft based on fake medical documents indicating "serious diagnoses." Within a day, the organizers of the scheme could produce more than 20 fake medical certificates.

According to the investigation, to "pass" draft evaders from other regions through the local Military Medical Commission, officials forged fictitious documents for them as internally displaced persons.

The cost of corrupt "services" ranged from 7,000 to 10,000 US dollars, depending on the urgency of the "order." The evaders used the obtained fake documents to deregister from military service and subsequently leave the country.

Based on the collected evidence, the chairman and two secretaries of the district Military Medical Commission were informed of suspicion under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Part 5 of Article 27, Part 2 of Article 28, Part 1 of Article 32, Part 1 of Article 336, as well as Part 2 of Article 28, Part 1 of Article 32, and Part 1 of Article 366 (forgery committed by a group of persons).

Furthermore, the identities of and suspicion notifications were established for five individuals who attempted to use the "scheme" for draft evasion and illegal emigration. They are suspected under Article 336 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (draft evasion). Currently, the issue of choosing a preventive measure for the suspects is being resolved. The investigation is ongoing to hold all persons involved in the "scheme" accountable.

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