Peru investigates the dispatch of its citizens to fight for Russia in the war against Ukraine
Kyiv • UNN
The Peruvian Prosecutor's Office is investigating the recruitment of its citizens for the war under the guise of employment. There are reports of 13 citizens killed on the front lines in Ukraine.
Peru has launched an investigation into an alleged human trafficking network that lured citizens with false promises of employment in Russia, resulting in them ending up on the front lines of Russia's war against Ukraine, the country's prosecutor's office reported, according to UNN citing Al Jazeera.
Details
Individuals were "recruited through deceptive job offers as security agents and in other positions" in Russia "with the promise of financial reward," according to a statement from the prosecutor's office released on Friday.
The investigation will focus on alleged crimes related to "human trafficking" and "aggravated human trafficking," the agency's statement said.
Percy Salinas, a lawyer representing the families of people who ended up on the front lines in Ukraine, told local TV channel N that 13 Peruvians have died in the war in Ukraine so far, according to the AFP agency.
Salinas stated that, according to available data, individuals were offered monthly salaries ranging from $2,000 to $3,000, and it is estimated that since last October, about 600 Peruvians have been recruited to fight on Russia's side.
In a statement released on Thursday, Moscow's embassy in Lima acknowledged that Peruvians had signed contracts to join the Russian armed forces.
Peru's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it had requested the Russian embassy to clarify the situation and provide information on the location and well-being of citizens serving in the Russian army. The Ministry noted that Peruvian citizens are required to obtain permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before serving in a foreign military.
Families of some victims, who claimed they were recruited through deception to fight in Ukraine, held a protest in front of the ministry building in Lima on Thursday, demanding the repatriation of their loved ones.
Addendum
Peru is the latest country to file complaints against Russia over the deceptive recruitment of foreign nationals to participate in the hostilities in Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian estimates published in February, more than 1,780 citizens from 36 African countries are believed to be fighting on the side of Russian forces.
Russia has also previously acknowledged the recruitment of soldiers from North Korea, thousands of whom are estimated to have been killed or wounded in action, as part of a military agreement between Moscow and Pyongyang.