Ukrainian authorities probe death of 55-year-old during draft notification

Ukraine’s Military Law Enforcement Service has reported an emergency incident that occurred during mobilisation notification procedures carried out by representatives of a district Territorial Center of Recruitment and Social Support (TCR and SS) in the city of Dnipro, Dnipropetrovsk region.

According to preliminary information, a report of the death of a 55-year-old man was received shortly after midnight on February 7. Officers from the National Police, together with personnel from the Military Law Enforcement Service, promptly arrived at the scene, conducted an inspection, documented the circumstances, and seized material evidence.

Individuals who may be preliminarily involved in committing a criminal offence under the article “Intentional grievous bodily harm” have been detained and placed in the guardhouse of the Military Law Enforcement Service pending a court decision on a preventive measure.

The Eastern Territorial Directorate of the Military Law Enforcement Service has forwarded information regarding potential signs of a criminal offence in the actions of TCR and SS servicemen to the National Police of Ukraine, the Specialised Defence Prosecutor’s Office, and the State Bureau of Investigation.

Authorities said full cooperation is being provided to investigative bodies to ensure an objective and impartial inquiry. A pre-trial investigation is currently underway, with information being collected and analysed, and officials and witnesses questioned.

All facts that may indicate an abuse of office will be given a legal assessment in accordance with Ukrainian law.

In addition, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has ordered an internal investigation not only into this incident but also into other possible violations of legislation during mobilisation notification activities conducted by TCR and SS personnel in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The inquiry has been entrusted to the head of the Main Directorate of the Military Law Enforcement Service.

By Vugar Khalilov