Moldovan law enforcers uncovered a channel for illegal migration of men from Ukraine
Many migrants were smuggled into EU countries.
In Moldova, law enforcers have uncovered a network of illegal migration to the country of men from Ukraine. About it writes Newsmaker.
It is noted that members of the criminal international group "helped" Ukrainian men of conscription age to cross the Transdniestrian border and demanded for this in each case of 10 thousand dollars.
The criminal group worked on the Transnistrian section of the Moldovan-Ukrainian border in the area of the Ukrainian town of Codyma and the Moldovan village of Plop," Moldovan law enforcers said.
The Border Police said that the "scheme" was based on extortion and after the arrival of such men in Moldova, they continued to demand money for "legalisation" and "assistance" in passing the Romanian border.
The agency reported that on 13 December, law enforcers detained a 23-year-old Moldovan citizen, who is a member of a criminal group, in Chisinau. He was detained for 72 hours and then placed under house arrest for 30 days. With his help, the law enforcers found other members of the criminal group.
The operation was an important step in the fight against organised crime, which undermines national security and international migration laws. The authorities continue to investigate the case to find out all those involved and bring them to criminal responsibility," the Border Police said.
The report did not specify whether Ukrainian citizens were involved in the illegal crossing scheme.
It should be noted that 362 of the Criminal Code of Moldova regarding illegal crossing of the state border does not apply to foreign citizens who want to exercise the right of asylum in the Republic. This means that if Ukrainians are detained immediately after illegally crossing the border or if they personally apply to the units of the Border Police or the General Inspectorate for Migration (IGM) for some form of international protection, they are not subject to sanctions for illegal entry into the territory of Moldova.
Meanwhile, since the beginning of martial law, the Ukrainian Border Guard Service, in co-operation with other law enforcement agencies, has uncovered more than 630 criminal groups that helped men travel abroad.