Ukrainian Armed Forces To Mobilize Prisoners

The Rada gave permission.

On Wednesday, May 8, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted bill #11079−1, which allows some categories of prisoners to be mobilized into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in the second reading.

This was announced by the people's deputy from European Solidarity, Oleksiy Honcharenko, writes New Voice.

According to him, the decision was supported by 279 votes.

He recalled that those convicted of serious premeditated murder, rape, sexual violence, or crimes against the foundations of national security would not be mobilized.

Co-chair of the ES Party Iryna Herashchenko clarified that the adopted changes provide for:

— changes in the Criminal Code regarding the parole of persons for their participation in military service under a contract and the establishment of liability for evasion of such service;

— the court will be able to make decisions on the parole of persons for their participation in military service under a contract, as well as apply to the execution of court decisions on this issue;

— regulating the procedure for parole and early release of persons from punishment for their participation in military service under a contract;

— changes to the law on administrative supervision of persons released from prison, so that commanders of military units are responsible for administrative supervision of such persons;

— amendments to the law on conscription and military service in order to establish the specifics of the acceptance, passage and dismissal from military service of persons released on parole for military service under a contract, as well as to resolve issues of their social and legal protection.

According to Herashchenko, her party abstained during the vote because the law remained subject to the provision of parole for persons convicted of suspended murder.

She also emphasized that corrupt officials will not be allowed to replace their punishment with the opportunity to fight.

On April 10, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the bill in the first reading.