Ukrainian law enforcement uncovers several draft-dodging schemes

Source: Ukraine’s Security Service

Ukraine’s law enforcement agencies said on Tuesday they uncovered three draft-dodging schemes in Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa. During the raids in the regions, they detained 13 individuals, including officials from Medical and Social Expert Commissions (MSEC) and medical institutions involved in such illegal activities.

The suspects allegedly helped issue fake disability certificates in exchange for bribes ranging from $1,500 to $12,000.

• Kyiv Region: Officials detained the head of a neurology and neurosurgery department and a trauma specialist who doctored medical records to add fake diagnoses. The documents were later sent to MSEC officials who used them to grant disability status for those eager to avoid the call-up.
• Lviv: Former and current officials from an interdistrict MSEC, including its former chairperson, were charged with fabricating medical records and issuing certificates of unfitness for military service.
• Odesa: Two department heads from city hospitals and a secretary of an MSEC head were caught red-handed selling fake disability certificates. They used the “services” of four intermediaries to find potential “clients”.

The suspects face multiple charges under the Ukrainian Criminal Code, including:

• Article 114-1: Obstructing lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
• Article 332: Illegal transfer of individuals across Ukraine’s borders by an organized group;
• Article 369-2: Abuse of influence with prior collusion;
• Article 366: Forgery of official documents.

If convicted, the suspects could face up to nine years in prison and confiscation of property.