The Security Service of Ukraine has dismantled a scheme for evading mobilization organized by one of the heads of the Central Interregional Directorate of the Ministry of Justice.

The investigation established that the official offered draft dodgers assistance in removing them from military records on the basis of forged conclusions on ‘poor’ health.

The organizer also promised his ‘clients’ that, if necessary, he could resolve the issue of removing their personal data from the search lists of Territorial Recruitment Centers.

The ‘services’ cost USD 20,000 per evader.

To operate the scheme, the perpetrator used his personal connections in medical institutions and military registration offices in the capital.

The SSU documented the official’s crimes and caught him red-handed when he was receiving part of the bribe for ‘writing off’ a draft evader.

Based on the evidence, SSU investigators notified the detainee of suspicion under the Articles of the CCU:

• 15.3, 114-1.1 (attempted obstruction of the lawful activities of the AFU);
• 369-2.3 (accepting a proposal, promise or receiving an unlawful benefit for oneself or a third party for influencing the decision-making of a person authorized to perform state functions, combined with demanding such a benefit).

The investigation is ongoing. The suspect faces up to 8 years in prison with confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out jointly with the State Border Service under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.