The Ukrainian Ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, has announced that several employees of the Uzhhorod Military Recruitment Center, including its head, have been charged in connection with allegations of human rights violations and torture. This announcement follows a monitoring visit that revealed serious breaches of rights at the facility.
According to Lubinets, on June 4, the acting head of the Uzhhorod center and the head of the military accounting group were informed of their suspicions regarding abuse of power and unlawful deprivation of liberty. Additionally, an instructor at the center has been charged with torture related to the illegal detention of military conscripts and the application of physical violence.
All individuals implicated in the case have been detained, and discussions are underway regarding appropriate preventive measures. Lubinets emphasized the need for accountability, stating that his representative, Andrii Kryuchkov, initiated an investigation into the actions of officials at the Zakarpattia Regional Military Recruitment Center, particularly those who may have been aware of these violations but failed to act.
Furthermore, Lubinets raised concerns regarding the actions of the commission from the Operational Command ‘West,’ which allegedly did not adequately address the evident violations during its internal investigation. He underscored that military recruitment centers should not operate outside the law, asserting that the state must maintain legal integrity even during wartime to preserve the trust of those it aims to protect.
This is not the first instance of scrutiny directed at the Uzhhorod center. Earlier reports from Lubinets indicated issues such as unlawful detention, unsanitary conditions, and negligence towards illnesses within the facility. In April, the Uzhhorod City District Court found the center’s head guilty of obstructing the activities of the ombudsman’s representative.
Following the controversy surrounding the treatment of conscripts, it was announced that the head of the Uzhhorod center would be reassigned to a combat unit.
The Ukrainian Ombudsman has reported that several employees of the Uzhhorod Military Recruitment Center face charges related to human rights violations and torture. This follows previous allegations of unlawful detention and poor conditions at the facility.