Two aides to members of parliament were caught engaging in “evasive schemes”: what they face
15 April 14:20
The Security Service of Ukraine, in collaboration with the State Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Prosecutor General, has exposed two aides to sitting members of parliament who are suspected of involvement in schemes targeting conscripts. This is stated in a press release from the security service, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
According to the investigation, the suspects offered men the opportunity to avoid conscription or illegally travel to European Union countries for $16,000.
The scheme involved the use of forged documents, fake medical reports, and other illegal methods to evade mobilization.
What exactly are the aides to the MPs accused of?
According to the case file, two aides to current members of the Ukrainian parliament offered conscripts several options for evading conscription.
Among the things they allegedly promised their clients were:
- fictitious medical board reports stating unfitness for service due to health conditions;
- certificates of “disability”;
- fake certificates from volunteer units of one of the region’s local communities;
- illegal travel to the EU bypassing official border crossings.
The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) reported that the case involves aides to members of parliament from the banned party “Opposition Platform – For Life.”
The suspects misled conscripts by promising to arrange travel abroad outside of border crossing points. They also claimed they could produce forged disability documents and passports under a different name.
How much did these services cost?
According to law enforcement officials, the cost of such “assistance” was $16,000.
For this amount, the suspects allegedly promised those subject to military service either forged medical documents or assistance in leaving Ukraine by bypassing official procedures.
The State Bureau of Investigations reported that the suspects priced their “services” between 25,000 and 30,000 U.S. dollars. To appear credible, they demanded photos and copies of personal documents from clients, giving them the impression that actual preparations for departure were underway.
How the scheme worked
As the investigation established, after receiving the full amount for their “services,” the scammers immediately blocked their clients’ contacts and disappeared.
In other words, according to the investigation, the scheme bore the hallmarks not only of aiding in evasion of mobilization but also of outright fraud. People handed over large sums of money, after which they were left without documents, without guarantees, and without contact with the organizers.
In total, law enforcement documented that aides to members of parliament received over 650,000 hryvnias from two citizens. Other possible instances of fraud are being investigated, the State Bureau of Investigation added.
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How the suspects were detained
Law enforcement documented the actions of both suspects and apprehended them “red-handed” after they received the funds.
During searches of the suspects’ premises, the following were seized:
- smartphones containing evidence of the transaction;
- money obtained through criminal means.
What charges were filed
Currently, the organizers of the scheme have been notified of charges under Part 4 of Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—fraud committed on a large scale.
Under this article, they face up to 8 years in prison.
What happens next
The issue of imposing a preventive measure on the suspects is currently being decided.
Investigative actions are also ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime, possible accomplices, and the full circle of individuals who may have been involved in the scheme.
Who conducted the special operation
Comprehensive measures in this case were carried out by SBU officers in Kyiv and the Kyiv region in cooperation with the State Bureau of Investigations.
The Office of the Prosecutor General is overseeing the proceedings in the case.
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