Ukrainian court releases first 2 prisoners who wish to serve in military

Ukrainska Pravda
·2 min read
Stock photo: Pixabay
Stock photo: Pixabay

Khmelnytskyi City District Court released the first two prisoners from serving their sentences, as they expressed a desire to be mobilised; another 50 similar cases will be considered by the court on 22 May.

Source: the court's press office

Details: The first court decisions were delivered on 21 May. Submissions from the Khmelnytskyi pre-trial detention centre for the conditional early release of convicted individuals to undergo military service were considered via video conference.

Two men (about 23 and 42), who are residents of villages in the Khmelnytskyi and Krasyliv districts in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, were convicted of theft in October and November 2022 to four years and nine months, and five years and five months of imprisonment respectively. They expressed a desire to serve in the military under contract.

The rulings state that both men passed professional and psychological evaluation, and have a sufficient level of physical fitness to fulfil their new duties.

After the court decisions are made, the Khmelnytskyi pre-trial detention centre must release the men conditionally early to undergo military service under contract without delay, but no later than 24 hours after the rulings take effect. The National Guard units are to transport them to the Khmelnytskyi Territorial Recruitment Centre so that they sign contracts and commence the military service.

The court also ruled that the men will be under administrative supervision for one year, but not longer than until their release from military service. This supervision will be carried out by the commanders of the military units where they will serve under contract.

The individuals who are released conditionally early are prohibited from leaving the location of their military unit and travelling for personal matters without their commander's permission. The court emphasises that each ruling is subject to immediate execution, but may be appealed to the Khmelnytskyi Court of Appeal within seven days from the announcement of the ruling.

Reportedly, on 22 May, the Khmelnytskyi City District Court will consider another 50 submissions for the conditional early release of convicted individuals who said they wanted to be mobilised.

Background:

  • On 8 May, the Ukrainian parliament adopted a law providing for the voluntary mobilisation of certain categories of prisoners. Individuals who committed premeditated murder, rapists and paedophiles, corrupt officials, those who committed crimes against the foundations of Ukraine's national security, or held a particularly responsible position, including MPs and ministers, cannot be mobilised into the Armed Forces.

  • All other prisoners who could potentially be mobilised would be subject to the same condition: they must have no more than three years of their sentence left to serve.

  • Ukrainian Justice Minister Denys Maliuska believes that 10,000 to 20,000 convicts could be conscripted from the country's prisons, not least because Ukraine's detention facilities are overcrowded.

  • On 21 May, it was reported that over 3,000 Ukrainian convicts applied for conditional early release to participate in the defence of Ukraine.

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