Kherson region investigates scheme of men traveling abroad with fake humanitarian aid

Law enforcement officers in Kherson region are investigating an alleged scheme of illegal border crossing involving charitable foundations. The court authorized searches and seizure of documents within the framework of criminal proceedings.

This is evidenced by the ruling of the Zavodskyi District Court of Mykolaiv.

The court allowed investigators temporary access to documents and searches in buildings related to the activities of the charitable organizations Adzhalyk and Charitable Foundation Our Heroes. The proceedings concern the alleged illegal transportation of men across the state border under the guise of humanitarian aid.

Investigators indicated that the materials contain documents that can confirm the use of fictitious contracts and acts of acceptance and transfer of transportation and humanitarian aid.

According to another criminal proceeding, it is a scheme under which the suspects could arrange for men of military age to travel abroad as drivers of humanitarian cargo.

According to a government decree, permission to travel for such categories should be granted only with appropriate justification from military administrations or recipients of humanitarian aid. However, the investigation has reason to believe that the documents could have been forged and the crossing was illegal.

As part of the investigation, the judge authorized a search of five addresses and the receipt of internal documents of the charitable foundations, including charters, protocols, transport transfer certificates and bank statements.

Law enforcement officials believe that this is the only way to obtain evidence to establish the circumstances and persons involved in the crime. The case was opened under Part 2 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - illegal transportation of persons across the state border.

In February, border guards in Odesa region detained five men who were trying to illegally enter Moldova through the territory of Transnistria. One of them was a 22-year-old driver from Mykolaiv region who used the services of a telegram channel administrator who provided instructions for illegal border crossing for $10,000.

Анна Літман