The Ministry of Justice proposes to recruit those convicted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The Ministry of Justice has submitted proposals to the Verkhovna Rada to lift the ban on former and current prisoners joining the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and participating in state defense. Deputy Minister of Justice Elena Vysotskaya spoke about it on Ukrainian radio.

According to him, in Ukraine there are many citizens from these categories who want to join the defense of the country.

“At the beginning of the mass invasion, we received thousands of appeals from convicts who wanted to join the ranks of the Armed Forces to repel the invasion. (…) After that, there was a whole procedure for pardoning some convicted so that they could participate in repelling armed aggression,” said the deputy head of the Ministry of Justice.

Vysotskaya explained that the law provides for the mandatory removal of convicted citizens from military registration. Because of this, the Ministry of Justice invites the Rada to remove this obstacle.

“We have made legislative changes and submitted them to the committee. They are very controversial, because the army should be interrupted by a category of people such as ex-convicts or current convicts, if they join. But believe we that it will be fair, first. And secondly, if this process goes well, it will be beneficial for us,” said the official.

At the same time, Vysotskaya noted that Russia has already worked on this issue and established a system for recruiting and training such soldiers.

“So, you understand the difference between our preparation and the enemy’s. Therefore, I think, we have to hurry in this matter,” said the deputy minister.

Vysotskaya recalled that the new mobilization rules could be adopted in January-February, but it is not a fact that the issue with prisoners will be resolved at this time. At the same time, he expressed the hope that changes can now be made in relation to inmates who were released from prison a few years ago or those who were convicted of certain crimes. He emphasized that if the sentence has been delivered, the person is free, everyone should treat him as normal.

It was previously reported that coal mining enterprises in Ukraine were using prisoners to work. Thus, the labor shortage is filled, and prisoners receive skills that will facilitate future employment, the Ministry of Justice said.