Arrest of a Criminal at the Unrecognized Border
Law enforcement has apprehended a 50-year-old criminal at the border with the unrecognized PMR, where he attempted to facilitate the escape of two individuals. He has been charged and a preventive measure has been imposed.
The unlawful activities of the resident of the Reni district were uncovered by the migration police and investigators from the Odessa district police department.
Police established that the 50-year-old man conspired with an unidentified individual who was seeking clients via messenger for illegal border crossing, agreeing to transport the fugitives to the border with unrecognized Transnistria.
Law enforcement documented the driver meeting two conscription-age men in Odessa and transporting them to the Podilskyi district, where he intended to drop them off near the state border. After receiving detailed instructions about overcoming obstacles, the Odessa men were to cross into PMR on their own.
However, their illegal crossing was thwarted by law enforcement. With the assistance of the special police battalion, the criminal and his passengers were stopped 100 meters from the state border, and the transporter was detained.
As material evidence, investigators seized the suspect's vehicle and his mobile phone, containing information pertinent to the investigation. The court has placed a freeze on this property.
Currently, the suspect has been charged with illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine, committed by prior conspiracy of a group, under part 2 of article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. This crime is punishable by imprisonment for up to seven years, along with a ban on holding certain positions or engaging in specific activities for up to three years. At the request of the investigators, the court has chosen custody as a preventive measure.
Investigative actions are ongoing under the procedural guidance of the Suvorov District Prosecutor’s Office in Odessa.
As part of the pre-trial investigation, all circumstances of the crime and the full circle of individuals involved will be established.
Law enforcement notes that criminal liability for crossing the border primarily falls on those who, through their advice, instructions, or services, including transporting clients, facilitate individuals’ illegal exit from the country. In such cases, vehicles are seized and arrested.
It is emphasized that the unlawful actions of carriers—drivers of cars, boats, submarines, etc.—can be classified as aiding in the illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine, for which the Criminal Code of Ukraine provides punishment of up to nine years of imprisonment, with a ban on holding certain positions or engaging in specific activities for up to three years and confiscation of property.
