Ukrainian Government Proposes Criminal Penalties for Unauthorized Border Crossing During War
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a new draft law aimed at tightening legal responsibility for illegally crossing the state border amid martial law.
According to the document, penalties for such violations could range from fines exceeding 119,000 hryvnias to imprisonment for up to three years.
The primary goal of this legislation is to enhance the article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine by introducing additional qualifying features that take into account the exceptional circumstances of war.
Specifically, it proposes establishing criminal liability for illegal border crossing during martial or emergency conditions, notably including crossings outside official checkpoints, which are covered under part four of article 3322 of the Criminal Code.The draft law suggests fines between 7,000 and 10,000 non-taxable minimum incomes, approximately from 119,000 to 170,000 hryvnias.
Additionally, it provides a provision for individuals who leave Ukraine unlawfully but return within three months and voluntarily surrender to law enforcement authorities before being officially notified of suspicion, thus avoiding criminal liability.The explanatory note to the bill emphasizes that the proposed norms do not infringe upon rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Ukrainian Constitution, including human rights and gender equality.
It also states that the law poses no corruption risks and will help regulate legal relations concerning border crossings during mobilization and military conflict.
The government believes that this legislation will strengthen the legal framework needed to address issues related to evading military conscription by crossing the border illegally, especially under current wartime conditions.