A scheme involving the illegal departure of conscripts abroad via the ‘Shlyakh’ system has been uncovered in the Lviv region
Operatives from the Strategic Investigations Department in Lviv Oblast, working alongside regional police investigators, have uncovered a scheme involving the illegal departure of men of conscription age from Ukraine whilst martial law was in force.
According to the investigation, the scheme was organised by a 48-year-old foreign national who holds a permanent residence permit in Ukraine. He sought out men liable for military service who wished to leave the country and registered them as members of a music group.
To carry out the scheme, clients were entered into the ‘Shlyakh’ system as musicians or support staff for a band that was supposedly due to hold cultural and artistic events in European Union countries. The cost of such services ranged from 8,000 to 12,000 dollars per person.
In one of the documented cases, a man promised a resident of the Lviv region to arrange a trip abroad under the guise of a sound engineer for a music group. For this, he demanded 12,000 dollars.
Law enforcement officers detained the suspect whilst he was receiving a deposit of 3,000 dollars. The cash and other material evidence were seized.
On the basis of the evidence gathered, the suspect was charged under Part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which concerns the illegal smuggling of persons across the state border of Ukraine.
The issue of imposing a preventive measure is currently being decided. Investigative actions are ongoing. Law enforcement officers are identifying other individuals who may be involved in the operation of the channel for the illegal smuggling of men abroad.
The operation to expose the scheme was carried out by officers of the National Police in conjunction with staff of the Security Service of Ukraine under the procedural supervision of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
The penalty under the charged offence provides for up to nine years’ imprisonment, with disqualification from holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities for a period of up to three years, and with confiscation of property.
At the same time, in accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven in accordance with the law and established by a court conviction.
