The SSU continues a series of special operations to expose and eliminate mobilization-related corruption. This time, former and current officials have been detained for deregistering vehicles from the military register and selling fake disability certificates to conscripts.

In Poltava region:

The SSU detained the head of a district military registration and enlistment office ‘red-handed’ after he received a bribe. The investigation documented that the military commissar extorted UAH 70,000 (USD 1,800) from an owner of a local company importing cars into Ukraine.

The bribe was intended for providing certificates of deregistration of commercial vehicles. This document is required to re-register cars at the MIA service centres under martial law.

For the bribe, the military official promised not to create artificial obstacles in the process of deregistering 5 vehicles.

The SSU identified that the official had regularly extorted bribes from entrepreneurs for such ‘services’.

The detainee has been served a notice of suspicion under Article 368.3 of the CCU (acceptance of an offer, promise or receipt of an unlawful benefit by an official).

In Cherkasy region:

A former head of Smila district council was detained for selling fake disability certificates to potential conscripts for illegally leaving Ukraine. The suspect obtained counterfeit documents through his connections in medical facilities.

The SSU also detained an official of the local military medical commission. He also assisted draft evaders in obtaining fictitious certificates of ‘medical unfitness’ for military service.

In both cases, the cost of ‘services’ ranged from USD 3,000 to 6,000, depending on the urgency of travelling abroad.

Based on the evidence, both persons involved have been served notices of suspicion under three Articles of the CCU:

• 369-2.3 (abuse of influence);
• 332.3 (illegal transfer of persons across the state border);
• 368.3 (acceptance of an offer, promise or receipt of an unlawful benefit by an official).

The investigation is ongoing. The offenders are facing up to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The operations were carried out by the SSU Offices in Poltava and Cherkasy regions jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office.