The Ternopil Regional Prosecutor’s Office has launched criminal proceedings over the possible unlawful detention of citizens at a regional recruitment centre. During a monitoring visit, violations of rights were identified, in particular the detention of individuals not subject to mobilisation. Law enforcement officers are conducting an investigation and interviewing witnesses to establish the facts of the case.
- The Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into allegations of unlawful detention at the Ternopil TCC.
- The entry was made on 12 June 2026 pursuant to section 2 of Article 146 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
- During the Ombudsman’s visit, 17 complaints of rights violations were identified.
- Among those detained were people who were not subject to conscription, including a person with a Group II disability.
- Five people have been dismissed, and the Ternopil Regional Police are conducting a pre-trial investigation.
Investigation into unlawful detention at the Ternopil Regional Centre for Temporary Accommodation
On 12 June 2026, the Western Region Prosecutor’s Office entered details into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations regarding Section 146(2) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — unlawful deprivation of liberty or abduction. This was the result of monitoring visit The Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets to the Ternopil District and City Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centres.
At the time of the inspection, there were around 28 people on the premises of the Military Registration and Enlistment Office, 17 of whom submitted written complaints regarding violations of their rights. Particular attention was drawn to the fact that those detained included citizens who, according to preliminary data, were not subject to mobilisation. In particular, they included a man with a permanent Group II disability, people with mental health conditions, and those who had reached the age limit for military registration.
The actions of law enforcement officers and the investigation
Following the findings of the investigation, five such individuals were dismissed. The Public Prosecutor’s Office, in conjunction with investigators, is establishing the circumstances surrounding the citizens’ stay at the TCC and verifying the legality of their detention. Initial investigative measures are currently underway, including interviews with the complainants.
The pre-trial investigation has been entrusted to investigators from the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Ternopil region. Law enforcement officers are attempting to establish whether citizens’ rights were violated and to what extent the actions of the officials responsible for the people’s stay at the recruitment centre were lawful.
The importance of investigations in safeguarding citizens’ rights
This case is important for monitoring respect for human rights in military establishments and regional recruitment centres. Establishing the facts unlawful detention indicates the need to strengthen oversight and reform mobilisation procedures in the region.
Human rights activists stress the importance of a thorough investigation to prevent further violations of civil liberties. Cooperation between the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the police and the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights should ensure transparency in these processes and protect citizens from unlawful actions.
