They transported evaders across the border in a refrigerator: in Odesa region, foreigners received suspicions.

Law enforcement officers uncovered and documented the illegal activity of citizens from Southwest Asia who were transporting conscription-aged men across the border by hiding them in refrigerators with meat. This was reported by the police of the Odesa region.

According to the police, two foreigners engaged in the transportation of meat products organized illegal border crossings for conscription-aged men. They hid 16 conscription-aged men in refrigerators with beef and tried to smuggle them to the Republic of Moldova through a checkpoint. Each of the men was supposed to pay the organizers for these services from 6 to 8 thousand dollars. Additionally, the organizers planned to receive an extra 2 thousand euros from those wishing to obtain a legal entry stamp to the neighboring country. This deal was to be completed after crossing the border.

The police seized the truck, documents, and phones used to organize the border crossing.

The foreigners were notified of their suspicion in organizing the illegal transfer of persons across the Ukrainian border. For this crime, they face 7 to 9 years in prison with the deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to 3 years, along with the confiscation of property. The court chose pretrial measures for the suspects in the form of detention with the possibility of posting bail in the amount of 10 million hryvnias.

Previously, in similar cases, Odesa police detained another organizer of illegal border crossing. For a promised fee, any client could illegally cross the border to Moldova. For this crime, he faces up to 9 years in prison with the confiscation of property.

Additionally, in the Zakarpattia region, a man was sentenced for failing to appear for conscription and evading mobilization, although he had received a summons three times.