The pre-trial investigation has been concluded. The indictment has been submitted to the court. The perpetrator faces up to nine years of imprisonment along with asset confiscation.
The criminal activities of a 28-year-old man from a neighboring region, residing in Odesa, were uncovered and documented by investigators from the police department in collaboration with the Security Service of Ukraine and border guards.
According to the investigation, the man conspired with unidentified individuals to organize the illegal crossing of the state border for a resident of Odesa. He estimated the 'trip' to Moldova at $11,000, of which $400 was supposed to be spent on clothing, a backpack, and a bolt cutter, which would help the ‘client’ remain unnoticed.
Following the organizer's instructions, the Odesa resident was to cross the state border on a specified day, time, and location, alongside other conscripted men who had also utilized his 'services'. However, law enforcement prevented the scheme from being executed.
The police documented the receipt of $400 by the suspect, and during the collection of the remaining $10,600, he was apprehended.
“The man was detained in accordance with the law, and the court imposed a preventive measure of round-the-clock house arrest. The pre-trial investigation has been completed. Based on the sufficient evidence collected during the investigation, charges were brought against him under part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, specifically for organizing the illegal transportation of individuals across the state border of Ukraine, assisting in this crime via instructions and provision of means, committed in conspiracy by a group of persons for mercenary motives. Such actions could lead to a penalty of up to nine years of imprisonment with asset confiscation,” reported Oleg Zoshchuk, the head of the investigation unit.
The prosecution will be supported in court by the Odesa regional prosecutor's office, under whose procedural guidance the pre-trial investigation was conducted.