The Verkhovna Rada allowed sending prisoners to the front

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has allowed some categories of prisoners to voluntarily mobilize into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On Wednesday, May 8, it adopted in the second reading a bill allowing the voluntary mobilization of some convicts. 279 deputies voted for the document.

Participation in hostilities will not be allowed to prisoners who were sentenced to imprisonment for crimes against the foundations of the national security of Ukraine, for committing premeditated murder, as well as rapists and pedophiles. In addition, corrupt officials and convicted persons who held particularly responsible positions – in particular, deputies and ministers – will not be able to join the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on the Organization of State Power, Local Self-Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning, Elena Shulyak, who was among initiators of the bill.

There must be no more than three years left until the end of the term

According to her, in order to be able to mobilize prisoners into the Armed Forces of Ukraine, it is also necessary that no more than three years remain before the end of their sentence. “Prisoners who remain in prison longer, and especially those sentenced to life, will be rejected immediately without the right to review,” Shulyak pointed out.

The first reading of the bill, which provides for the possibility of parole for prisoners to perform military service under contract during martial law, was adopted in early April.

The document assumes that the decision on parole for military service will be made by the court, and after such released persons are delivered to specialized units of military units, they will be subject to administrative supervision. In addition, liability for evasion of military service by former prisoners is established in the form of imprisonment for a period of 5 to 8 years.