Helped evade mobilization. Law enforcement revealed the head of the court in Odesa region.

SBU stopped a large-scale scheme to evade mobilization in Odesa region

The Security Service and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau stopped a large-scale scheme to evade mobilization in one of the district courts of Odesa region. Those involved offered conscripted men assistance to leave the country using forged court decisions regarding single parent custody. This was reported by 'Glavkom' citing the SBU.

The operation documenting the crimes lasted more than a year. During this period, eight individuals were detained, including the head and two judges of this court, the deputy head of its administration, other court staff members, and affiliated lawyers.

According to the investigation, the judges knowingly accepted false decisions which allowed evaders to leave the country under the pretense of child care.

The court issued relevant decisions en masse without the actual presence of the parties in the courtroom.

To find clients, they involved lawyers and their assistants who offered a legal way for conscripts to leave the country via social networks.

For the purpose of conspiracy, the participants held 'business' meetings with potential draftees in the office of a local law firm. There, they discussed mechanisms for illegally obtaining deferment from mobilization and the payment amounts for the group's services.

During searches in the administrative building of the court and in the private offices of the participants, documentation, mobile phones, and computers with evidence of illegal activities were found.

Judges, court staff members, and other implicated individuals were notified of suspicion under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. They face up to 10 years of imprisonment with asset confiscation.

Three judges also received disciplinary action in the form of a proposal for dismissal.

Recall that prosecutors of the Odesa regional prosecutor's office submitted an indictment against the organizer and four participants of the organized group for illegal transportation of individuals across the border of Ukraine.

The SBU and the National Police are investigating criminal groups that helped evaders obtain forged documents or leave the country illegally.