Kharkiv Officer Charged with Organizing Illegal Border Crossing for Cash

A case against a Kharkiv law enforcement officer who organized the illegal departure of a person liable for military service to Moldova via Odesa for money has been brought to court.

This was reported by the State Bureau of Investigation.

According to the investigation, a resident of Kharkiv was looking for a way to cross the border legally, but a law enforcement officer he knew offered him an illegal option - for money. The policeman assured him that using his official ID, they would get to Odesa without hindrance, where the man would be handed over to accomplices who would help him cross the border.

The offender explained that they would have to cross the border on foot, using disguises to avoid detection by border guards. On the Moldovan side, his client was to be met by people who would handle further paperwork.

After receiving the deposit, the law enforcement officer bought tickets for the Kharkiv-Odesa train and personally accompanied the man. He planned the trip on his weekend to avoid arousing suspicion.

On November 16, 2024, they arrived in Odesa and checked into a hotel. The law enforcement officer was detained while handing over the rest of the money.

He was charged under Part 3 of Art. 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal transportation of persons across the state border, committed for mercenary motives, by prior conspiracy). If the law enforcement officer's guilt is proven, he faces up to 9 years in prison.

Recently, in Odesa region, police exposed a serviceman of the TCC and JV who was organizing the illegal transportation of men across the state border of Ukraine.

Border guard detachments also detained two men of military age who were trying to illegally cross the state border of Ukraine and their trafficker.

Ірина Глухова