Prosecutors of the Kharkiv District Prosecutor's Office of the Kharkiv Region have approved and sent to court an indictment against a 55-year-old man for organizing the illegal transportation of individuals across the state border of Ukraine, leading such actions, and assisting in their commission through advice and instructions, committed in relation to several individuals, by prior conspiracy of a group of individuals and for mercenary motives (Part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

According to the investigation, the accused established an illegal mechanism for the departure of conscripted men outside Ukraine during the period of martial law. 

In phone conversations, he assured potential "clients" that legal grounds for crossing the border allegedly do not apply, as border guards "turn everyone back without explanation," offering illegal transportation to EU countries for 10 thousand US dollars per person.

The Kharkiv resident claimed that he was working with a person who coordinates the process from abroad. Those wishing to leave were required to make a prepayment — in cryptocurrency or cash in Kharkiv.

For group trips, he offered a "discount" — 1,000 US dollars from each. Thus, for the transportation of five men, they were to pay 45 thousand dollars. Part of the sum was handed over in Kharkiv, the rest — to "trusted persons" in Lviv just before crossing the border.

The accused emphasized complete confidentiality: he advised deleting correspondence, contacts, and call history. Men were assured that they would be met in Lviv by trusted people, accommodated in a hotel, and then escorted to the crossing point.

While receiving 30 thousand US dollars in cash for organizing the departure of five individuals, the man was detained by law enforcement officers. 

Currently, the identities of those who may have illegally left the territory of Ukraine with his assistance are being established, as well as others involved in the commission of the crime.

The sanction of the article provides for punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of seven to nine years, with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years, along with confiscation of property.

The pre-trial investigation was conducted by the investigative unit of police station No. 2 of the Kharkiv District Police Department No. 1.

Operational support: Migration Police Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Kharkiv Region and the Eastern Interregional Directorate of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

Note: According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner and established by a court verdict.