The head of the Zvenyhorodka District Military Medical Commission and the Specialised Military Medical Commission in the Cherkasy region was dismissed following reports that a 54-year-old resident of Zvenyhorodka, who was due to undergo a military medical examination in Uman, had suffered serious injuries. According to Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, the man is in intensive care, and the Specialised Prosecutor’s Office for Defence Affairs of the Central Region is investigating the circumstances of the case.
Briefly about the main points
- The head of the Zvenyhorod District Territorial Co-ordination Centre and Joint Staff has been dismissed from his post.
- The victim reported being beaten and doused with cold water at the TCC.
- The man was admitted to hospital with severe chest injuries.
- The Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the bodily injuries and the possible unlawful deprivation of liberty.
- The Ombudsman has contacted the High Council of Justice and the police in Cherkasy Oblast.
The man’s statement and his admission to hospital
According to the victim, whilst staying in the Zvenyhorod District TCC and his partner beat him and poured cold water over him. The man was to be taken to Uman to undergo VLC, but he eventually ended up on the operating table.
Doctors diagnosed him with multiple rib fractures, a punctured lung and a pneumothorax. «In 54 years, I have never encountered such humiliating treatment and abuse,» the man was quoted as saying Lubinets.
Statement by the Ombudsman following the publicity
According to Lubinets, following the publicity, the military command dismissed the head of the district recruitment centre from his post. The Ombudsman contacted the Cherkasy Regional Department of the Military Law Enforcement Service and the Regional Headquarters of the National Police.
He called on the police to identify those who may have been directly involved in the incident, to find out who might have witnessed it, and to check whether anyone had attempted to conceal the circumstances of the incident.
What case is the Public Prosecutor’s Office investigating?
The case is being handled by the Specialised Prosecutor’s Office for Defence Matters in the Central Region. Proceedings have been initiated under Part 1 of Article 122 of the Criminal Code — intentional bodily harm of moderate severity — and Part 1 of Article 146 — unlawful deprivation of liberty or abduction.
A pre-trial investigation is currently underway. The investigation must establish exactly who inflicted the injuries on the man, the circumstances under which this occurred, and whether any officials from the TCC were involved.
Previous complaints about the Zvenyhorod Technical Control Centre
In August, Lubinets reported at least seven complaints regarding possible human rights violations by staff at this temporary detention centre within the space of a week. The complaints concerned alleged forceful detentions, the use of handcuffs, threats and coercion to undergo a medical examination.
Each of these cases requires a separate legal assessment.
Inspections by the TCC as part of the SBI’s operation
The State Bureau of Investigations is conducting a nationwide operation called «Fair Conscription», as part of which it is investigating possible abuses of authority, beatings and torture of conscripts at military recruitment centres. In July, investigations took place at more than 100 recruitment centres across Ukraine.
As of the evening of 30 September, it is known that a personnel decision has been taken regarding the head of the department in the Cherkasy region and that criminal proceedings have been opened.
