Helping draft dodgers to escape abroad through fake court decisions: criminal group uncovered in Odesa region. PHOTOS
The SSU and the NABU uncovered a large-scale scheme of mobilisation evasion in one of the city district courts of the Odesa region. The chairman of the court, together with his accomplices, helped draft dodgers escape abroad by using fake court decisions on the independent upbringing of a child by a parent liable for military service.
This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to the SSU press service.
The operation to document the crimes lasted more than a year.
"During this time, 8 members of the organised criminal group were exposed, including the chairman and two judges of this court, the deputy chief of staff, other staff members of the institution and affiliated lawyers, as well as other persons involved in illegal activities," law enforcement officers said.
The investigation found that judges made deliberately falsified decisions that gave draft dodgers grounds to travel abroad under the pretext of sole childcare.
The cost of this "service" was 3,500 US dollars per potential draftee.
At the same time, the court made massive decisions without the actual presence of the parties in the courtroom.
To find clients, lawyers and their assistants were involved, offering on social media an allegedly legal way for conscripts to travel abroad.
For conspiracy purposes, the defendants held "business" meetings with potential recruits in the office of a local law firm. There, they discussed mechanisms for unjustifiably obtaining a deferral from mobilisation and the amount of payment for the services of an organised group.
During the searches of the administrative building of the court, as well as in the private offices of the defendants and at their residences, the law enforcement officers found documents, mobile phones and computers with evidence of the fraud.
Based on the documented facts, law enforcement officers served the chairman of the court, seven of his associates and other involved persons suspicion notices under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- Art. 114-1 (obstructing the lawful activities of the AFU);
- Art. 332 (organisation of illegal border crossing);
- Art. 368 (obtaining undue advantage);
- Art. 369 (provision of undue advantage);
- Art. 376-1 (unlawful interference with the operation of automated justice systems).
Three judges additionally received disciplinary sanctions in the form of a motion for their dismissal.
The defendants face up to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property.
