A scheme was discovered in Chernivtsi by which conscripts obtained the status of disabled people

Law enforcement officers in Chernivtsi have uncovered a criminal group that was engaged in forging medical documents for conscripts who wanted to avoid military service. The head of one of the regional medical and social expert commissions (MSEC) acted as the organizer of the scheme.

Operatives of the Chernivtsi Department of the National Police’s Internal Security Division, in cooperation with SBU investigators, discovered that the head of the commission clearly distributed responsibilities among the participants and created a “conveyor” for the production of fake documents. This scheme involved current and former medical workers, as well as trusted individuals who were seeking conscripts who wanted to avoid mobilization and prepared documents for the expert commission.

The fake documents were produced without conducting mandatory medical examinations and research, often using fictitious forms and seals. False information about the health status of customers was entered into their medical records, after which the packages of documents, along with referrals, were transferred to the MSEC.

As the chairman of the commission, the organizer informed the members about the new “clients”, and the commission argued for granting the disability group to actually healthy men, which allowed them to avoid service and go abroad. In some cases, decisions were made to extend the disability for an unlimited period.

The cost of the produced documents ranged from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the volume and results of the services. Law enforcement officers have recorded approximately 600 cases of medical document forgery.

More than 40 authorized searches revealed equipment for forging documents, draft records, seals of medical institutions, inspection reports, forms with the signatures of officials, and ready-made certificates.

The participants in the scheme have been charged under articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which include obstruction of the activities of the Armed Forces, illegal smuggling of persons across the border, forgery of documents, and their use; all those involved in the case risk receiving a prison sentence.

The pre-trial investigation continues under the control of the Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor’s Office.