Prosecutors of the Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor's Office, together with the Security Service of Ukraine, have completed the pre-trial investigation and sent an indictment to the court regarding the participants of an organized criminal group who illegally transported conscripts and active servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine abroad.

The scheme for the illegal transportation of men abroad was organized by a 40-year-old resident of Chernivtsi, who involved three accomplices from the region in the criminal activity. The group members established a channel for the departure of conscription-age individuals for a monetary reward — up to 13 thousand euros each. In pursuit of profit, the organizers offered and arranged escapes abroad even for those undergoing training at the training grounds of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The investigation established that they organized the transportation of 12 conscripts to Romania.

All participants of the organized criminal group are charged with obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and illegal transportation of individuals across the state border, committed by an organized group (Part 3 of Article 27, Part 3 of Article 332, Part 2 of Article 28, Part 1 of Article 114-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The pre-trial investigation was conducted by investigators of the Security Service of Ukraine in the Chernivtsi region with operational support from the 31st Border Detachment.

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.