2024-04-11 19:18:00
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted today in the first reading a law allowing the mobilization in the armed forces of convicts, reported Reuters.
The agency notes that the measure is designed to help replenish and rotate Ukrainian troops after two years of war with Russia.
The bill provides for prisoners who join the military to be eligible for parole. According to the document, those convicted of crimes against humanity, sexual violence, pedophilia, premeditated murder, fatal traffic accidents under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or crimes against national security will not be able to serve, MP Oleksiy Goncharenko announced on his Telegram social network profile. It is not clear what additional forces would join the Ukrainian armed forces if the law is finally adopted.
Goncharenko’s colleague Yaroslav Zheleznyak said the text would most likely be changed before its final vote to remove the risk of corruption. A date for the vote in the Rada has not yet been set.
Another law introducing heavy fines for citizens who do not comply with mobilization rules was also passed today in first reading.
Ukraine’s parliament has also begun considering the final version of a controversial bill to overhaul the country’s mobilization process after months of criticism and controversy. It is expected to expand Kiev’s ability to mobilize new forces amid a greatly reduced inflow of volunteers and numerous cases of draft dodgers since the start of the war.
The text will be voted on tomorrow, BTA reported.