Proposed Law in Ukraine: 5–7 Years in Prison for Abducting People During Mobilization.

Draft Law Seeks Tougher Penalties for Unlawful Detention

According to Novyny.live: A new legislative initiative has been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada, aiming to amend Article 146-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The bill proposes stricter punishments for illegal confinement or forcible abduction of individuals during mobilization efforts. Its sponsor is lawmaker Heorhiy Mazurashu, a member of the 'Servant of the People' faction.

Under the proposed changes, unlawfully holding a person or making them forcibly disappear would carry a prison sentence of three to five years. Additionally, forcing someone into a military command facility would result in a penalty of five to seven years behind bars.

The draft also introduces fines for commanders of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who ignore or fail to promptly address reports from their subordinates. Notably, the full text of the bill and its explanatory note are not yet available on the parliament’s website.

Potential Impact on Criminal Law

If adopted, these amendments could affect how long military personnel are allowed to stay in combat zones. The bill is designed to strengthen accountability for actions that threaten civilian safety during mobilization and to ensure better oversight of military duties.

Passing this law would signal the Ukrainian government’s intent to improve mechanisms for protecting citizens’ rights during mobilization, especially in wartime.

Increasing liability for unlawful conduct by military personnel is a crucial step toward building public trust in the armed forces and enhancing the overall rule of law in the country. Over time, it could also help establish new standards of behavior and discipline within military units.