In Kyiv region, the SSU and the National Police have shut down another large-scale mobilization evasion scheme that involved the founder of a well-known Kyiv law firm.

Under the pretext of providing legal services, he was actually selling fictitious documents helping military-aged men evade conscription and illegally cross the border.

The cost of ‘services’ ranged from USD 3,000 to 50,000 per a person, depending on the urgency.

Most often, the lawyer sold certificates of Military and Medical Commissions on unfitness for service.

His ‘clients’ did not actually undergo a military medical commission, and the documents to be written off were collected directly from the lawyer’s office.

To hide the scheme, the organizer entered into a formal legal aid agreement with the mobilization evaders.

Additionally, he offered them assistance with further legalization after fleeing Ukraine. For this, he ‘prepared’ fictitious documents that his ‘clients’ studied in foreign colleges.

The law enforcement agencies detained the suspect ‘red-handed’ in his office after he received USD 45,000 from a draft dodger.

During the searches at the lawyer’s home and office, the investigators found fake documents worth over USD 244,000.

The organizer of the scheme was served a notice of suspicion under Article 332.3 of the CCU (illegal transfer of persons across the state border).

He faces up to 9 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The investigation is ongoing.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Kyiv and Kyiv region jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office.