MP flees Ukraine with forged documents. Photo: National Police
The scandal surrounding the former deputy of Zhmerynka City Council continues to gain momentum. As it has become known, this politician left Ukraine using false documents from the Military Medical Commission (MMC). According to the information provided by TimeUkraIneisrael portal with reference to Focus, he received an unlawful status of “unfit for service”, which, according to the investigation, was the basis for his escape.
Scheme of service evasion
The investigation, conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) in cooperation with the Strategic Investigations Department of the National Police, has uncovered a significant corruption scheme. Doctors and the management of the Zhmerynka Medical Clinical Hospital in Vinnytsia Oblast provided the former MP with a fictitious diagnosis of liver cirrhosis without conducting any tests. This diagnosis allowed the politician to avoid mobilisation and, as a result, to leave the country.
Illegitimacy of the diagnosis
It is worth noting that the MP’s actual state of health does not correspond to the diagnosis. A forensic medical examination confirmed that the suspect had no liver problems. On this basis, the Central Military Qualification Commission of the Armed Forces of Ukraine cancelled the earlier decision on his unfitness for service.
Charges and arrests
The deputy now faces criminal charges for using forged documents, as well as suspicion of illegal cross-border trafficking. Also under investigation are the head of the High Qualification Commission, the hospital’s chief physician and two therapists who helped implement the scheme. The prosecutor’s office has already filed a motion for their arrest.
Information about the suspect
It is known that in August 2023, the former MP was detained by the State Bureau of Investigation on suspicion of organising the murder. Interestingly, his father is also a former MP of the VII convocation from the Party of Regions and a current deputy of the Zhmerynka City Council from the banned OPFL. This situation causes outrage in society and calls into question ethical norms in the political environment of Ukraine.
This case demonstrates the need for profound reforms in the system of military medical commissions and control over the activities of officials to avoid similar abuses in the future.
