In the Lviv region, a scheme for the illegal departure of conscripts abroad under the guise of "tours" to EU countries has been uncovered. According to the investigation, men were entered into the "Shlyakh" system as members of a musical group and, for a fee, were granted departure allegedly to participate in cultural events. This was reported by the National Police of Ukraine, according to UNN.
Details
It is noted that a 48-year-old foreigner with a permanent residence permit in Ukraine coordinated the holding of fictitious cultural and artistic events in European Union countries.
To implement the criminal plan, conscripted men were entered into the "Shlyakh" online system as members of a musical group that was allegedly going abroad on tour. The cost of such "services" ranged from 8,000 to 12,000 dollars per person
According to the investigation, the suspect sought out conscripted men who wished to illegally leave Ukraine during martial law. For this purpose, "clients" were registered as members of a musical group, and the relevant information was entered into the official "Shlyakh" system, which allowed them to cross the state border unhindered under the pretext of touring activities in EU countries.
Thus, in one of the documented episodes, the perpetrator promised to help a resident of the Lviv region leave. For the implementation of the plan, the suspect demanded 12,000 dollars from him.
It was during the transfer of a deposit in the amount of 3,000 dollars that law enforcement officers detained the foreigner in accordance with Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. Funds and other physical evidence were seized from the scene.
Based on the collected evidence, the detainee was notified of suspicion under Part 3 of Art. 332 (Illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The issue of choosing a preventive measure for him is being decided.
Currently, investigative actions are ongoing to identify other persons involved in the functioning of the illegal channel for transporting men abroad and to bring them to justice.
The sanction of the incriminated article provides for punishment in the form of up to nine years of imprisonment with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term of up to three years with confiscation of property.