Authorities arrested a 50-year-old man at the border with the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldovan Republic, where he intended to transport two clients for their escape. The suspect has been charged and a preventive measure has been selected.
The illegal actions of the resident of the Rozdilna district were uncovered by the migration police of the Odesa region and investigators from the second police station of the Odesa district police.
Police established that the 50-year-old man conspired with an unidentified person who was recruiting clients for illegal border crossing through a messaging app. He agreed to transport the fugitives to the border with Transnistria.
Officers documented the suspect meeting two conscription-age men in Odesa and driving them to the Podilskyi district, where he was to drop them off near the protective trench of the state border. After receiving detailed instructions on overcoming obstacles, the Odesa men were to cross into Transnistria on their own.
However, law enforcement prevented the illegal border crossing. With the support of a special police battalion, the suspect and his passengers were stopped 100 meters from the state border, and the transporter was arrested in accordance with procedural rules.
As material evidence, investigators seized the suspect's vehicle and his mobile phone containing information relevant to the investigation. A court has placed a lien on this property.
Currently, investigators have charged the suspect with the illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine, committed by a group of persons in conspiracy under part 2 of article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. This crime is punishable by imprisonment for up to seven years, with a prohibition from holding certain positions or engaging in specific activities for up to three years. Following the investigators' request, the court selected a preventive measure in the form of detention.
Investigative actions continue under the procedural guidance of the Suvorov District Prosecutor's Office in Odesa.
As part of the pre-trial investigation, all circumstances of the crime and the full circle of those involved will be established.
Authorities emphasize that the criminal responsibility for crossing the border primarily lies with those who provide advice, instructions, services, including the transportation of clients, facilitating individuals to illegally leave the country. Vehicles in such cases are seized and a lien is placed on them.
We emphasize: the illegal actions of transporters – 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 for punishment of up to nine years in prison, along with a prohibition from holding certain positions or engaging in specific activities for up to three years and confiscation of property.