Putin is recruiting criminals for his war of aggression in Ukraine – now officially and by law. Soldiers should also be given a prison-free card for “minor” crimes – and be able to clear their criminal records through military service.
The Russian parliament has legalized the recruitment of criminals for military service in Ukraine. “The validity of the document does not extend to those previously convicted of terrorist and extremist acts, as well as offenses against the sexual inviolability of minors,” the State Duma said on Tuesday.
In addition, military personnel may not be prosecuted for minor offences. During the war, mobilized and volunteers should not be harassed by the authorities for minor or moderate violations of the law such as theft or fraud.
Military action erases criminal records
Under the law, it is also possible to free oneself from investigations and criminal records by receiving medals during military service or by retiring after an injury or reaching the age limit.
Already in the summer of last year it became known that the Wagner mercenary group had recruited criminals from prisons en masse. Serious criminals would also have been released. Meanwhile, mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin complains that he has been denied access to Russian prisons.
However, human rights activists criticize the fact that Russia continues to recruit masses of prisoners for military service. According to this, the Ministry of Defense in particular is now using the penal system to recruit military personnel. Until now, however, there was no legal basis for this.
Source: Krone
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