Former Member of Parliament Profited from Disability Benefits Through Connections at Hospitals in the Mykolaiv Region

A former member of parliament organized a scheme to evade mobilization by using his personal connections at medical facilities in the Mykolaiv region. He was detained along with an accomplice.

This was reported by the Security Service of Ukraine.

According to the investigation, the former MP offered conscripts $10,000 to arrange a fake disability status. To do this, he planned to enlist the help of acquaintances at medical facilities in the region.

Clients were initially referred for inpatient treatment under the pretext of cardiac or neurological conditions. After being discharged, they were to receive documents certifying a third-degree disability.

<picture></picture>Arrest of the former lawmaker’s accomplice. Photo: Security Service of Ukraine

The SBU documented the activities of the organizer and his intermediary. They were detained after receiving the second installment of payment for a complete package of fraudulent disability documents.

The detainees were notified of their status as suspects under Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The charges involve abuse of influence committed by a group of individuals acting in concert.

Investigators are continuing to identify other possible participants in the scheme.

The organizer faces up to eight years in prison with confiscation of property for the offense.

Also in Mykolaiv, medical professionals were exposed for issuing fake disability certificates in exchange for money to help individuals evade mobilization. For their “services,” they demanded thousands of dollars and accompanied clients through every stage of the scheme.

 In addition, Intent learned that a Mykolaiv court refused to suspend Dr.Zakhar Tkach from his duties; he is suspected of issuing a fraudulent disability certificate for a person subject to military conscription. The prosecutor insisted that the doctor’s continued employment could hinder the investigation.

Ірина Глухова