Military police will collect reports on draft dodgers and break into their homes – bill

The draft law on military police, currently under consideration by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, introduces provisions for reporting draft dodgers and deserters for money, as well as breaking into the homes of those who violate military laws.

Article No. 9 of the draft law contains a provision allowing the military police to “cooperate with individuals, including on a contractual basis, respecting the voluntary and confidential nature of these relationships, and to materially and morally reward those who help prevent, detect, and stop criminal offenses.”

Although the article does not explicitly mention draft dodgers, lawyers believe that it likely refers to them. The draft law seeks to grant military police the right to enter the homes of those violating military service laws, including draft dodgers, in certain cases.

“In urgent cases related to saving lives and property or directly pursuing persons suspected of committing a crime, in cases and on grounds provided by law, [military police may] enter a person’s home or other property with immediate notification of the pre-trial investigation body and the prosecutor’s office,” the draft law states.

Considering the legislative changes to the administrative code outlined in the draft law and the purpose of establishing the military police, it is anticipated that the military police will conduct operational search activities against draft dodgers who have not updated their military registration data, have not registered for military service, or have been declared wanted and have not reported to the territorial recruitment center, according to lawyer Kateryna Anishchenko.

Previously, the Ministry of Defense urged the Rada to quickly pass the law on military police, which will also be responsible for searching for and bringing deserters and military personnel who have left their units without permission to justice.

The draft law defines the status of the military police, the legal framework for its activities, its general structure and personnel, the grounds and procedures for using physical force, special equipment, and firearms by military police personnel, as well as the legal and social protection of the military police personnel.