Over 3 thousand convicts apply for service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine
21 May 2024 17:31
More than 3,000 convicts have already applied for early release from serving their sentences for direct participation in the defence of Ukraine. Deputy Minister of Justice Olena Vysotska said this during a telethon, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
“More than three thousand people. We predicted this before the adoption of this law. We cannot say that all the 20,000 people we mentioned as potential will join. Because according to the previous surveys, about 4,500 people expressed their desire. This figure will fluctuate…”
– vysotska said.
She noted that not all of the convicts who applied will join the Armed Forces. Some will not meet the criteria of the law, in particular for health reasons.
“Convicts may have socially dangerous diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis or hepatitis, so this is also an exception to those who will take part in this project. That’s why when we mention big numbers – about 20,000 – this is a very theoretical potential. In reality, it is 4-5 thousand,
– vysotska believes.
According to her, some of them are already undergoing military medical examinations and getting to know their commanders. Commanders have to give their consent regarding a particular person, and then the Ministry of Justice submits the materials to the court.
The Ministry of Justice assured that the law contains warnings in case someone considers signing a contract with the Armed Forces as an opportunity to be released but not to fight. Evasion of the contract is punishable by 5 to 10 years in prison.
Mobilisation of convicts
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted draft law No. 11079-1 on the mobilisation of certain categories of convicts.
Prisoners who express a desire to be mobilised will be able to serve after a court decision and undergo a military qualification examination. But their sentence should not exceed three years .
One of the authors of the draft law, Olena Shulyak, said that the released criminals would serve in special units.
At the same time, not all prisoners will be able to join the Armed Forces. The exceptions are those who:
- Imprisoned for offences against the foundations of national security of Ukraine;
- Imprisoned for the intentional murder of two or more persons, or combined with rape;
- Imprisoned for sexual violence;
- Has a criminal conviction for committing criminal offences under Articles 152-1561, 258-2586, part four of Article 2861 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, unless such convictions have been cancelled or removed in accordance with the procedure established by law.
It should be noted that on 13 March, the Verkhovna Rada registered draft law No. 11079 on the conditional early release of convicts from serving their sentences for military service.
Kommersant Ukrainsky published an article about who can be released and sent to the frontline and who is not eligible for parole, the pros and cons of such an initiative, and whether paedophiles and murderers can really be released.
