The Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office has reported suspicions to three doctors from the specialized institutes of cardiology and pulmonology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine. They are accused of bribery. The case concerns helping conscripts avoid mobilization.
This was reported by the press services of the Main Directorate of the National Police of Kyiv and the city prosecutor's office.
Among the suspects are doctors from various state medical institutions, in particular, a cardiologist, a pulmonologist, and an ultrasound diagnostician.
The suspects offered their “clients” fake medical reports about alleged serious illnesses that were supposed to be grounds for exclusion from military service. To do this, conscripts were instructed in detail about the “symptoms” of the disease, provided with a comprehensive “examination,” and were also fictitiously treated in a hospital.
According to the investigation, the suspects understood that the conclusions and examinations of their medical institutions were of great importance and were authoritative for other non-specialized medical institutions and institutions. Thus, their patients would be able to avoid military service.
“The cost of such “services” was $18,000 and was paid in stages – for each action performed,” the report says.
Currently, three doctors have been charged under Part 4 of Article 354 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (obtaining unlawful benefit). The maximum penalty under the article is up to three years in prison. Previously, two accomplices were charged with looking for clients who wanted to avoid military service.
It was previously reported that a large-scale mobilization evasion scheme was uncovered in Kyiv. The first deputy head of one of the capital's district state administrations was detained on suspicion of involvement in the scheme.
According to the investigation, the official forged documents and fictitiously “enrolled” men in military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and then organized their deregistration from military records based on fictitious medical diagnoses. The cost of such a “service” was from 15 to 20 thousand US dollars.