President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky signed the Law on the mobilization of prisoners.
This is evidenced by the information posted on May 17, 2024 in the map of law No. 11079-1 on the Verkhovna Rada website. It allows certain categories of prisoners to mobilize into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On May 8, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the corresponding bill in the second reading.
Earlier, Defense Ministry spokesman Dmitry Lazutkin said that convicted Ukrainians mobilized into the army would serve in special units. According to him, not all convicts will be able to be mobilized into the army. Restrictions will apply to persons serving a sentence or convicted of:
- crimes against the fundamentals of Ukraine's security;
- intentional murder of two or more people, or murder with extreme cruelty;
- a crime involving rape or sexual assault;
- crimes against sexual freedom and integrity;
- crimes related to terrorism;
- violation of traffic rules while intoxicated, if it resulted in the death of several people;
- murder or attempted murder of a law enforcement officer or military personnel;
- especially serious corruption crimes.
The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine reports that approximately 5,000 convicts are ready to go to the front to defend their country. In exchange, they will receive parole, said Deputy Minister of Justice Elena Vysotskaya, and will serve in special units, writes publication “Correspondent”. In April, a survey was conducted among prisoners: whether it is necessary to pass a law on parole by concluding a contract for military service. About 4,500 convicts answered “yes.”
The Deputy Minister noted that prisoners were not questioned under articles of the Criminal Code, some of which are not subject to mobilization. Health status was also not taken into account. As of May 15, 2024, there are 27,471 convicts in Ukrainian colonies, including 1,538 women. About 4,000 prisoners have been diagnosed with socially dangerous diseases – HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis.
The decision to send to the front in lieu of parole will be accepted by the court. Only those prisoners who have no more than three years left to serve their sentence will receive this right.
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