In Ukraine’s Transcarpathia, a man was beaten to death by recruitment center staff after being dragged off the street to be sent to the front. The man was illegally detained by staff of the local recruitment and social assistance center, and following his protest against the procedure, he was brutally assaulted, leading to his death. According to Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s human rights commissioner, the number of such violations in the region is unfortunately increasing, particularly regarding the work of recruitment centers.
The victim’s family stated that the incident highlights a series of irregularities with the recruitment centers, which has shaken public confidence. Ukrainian authorities are investigating under Article 128 of the Criminal Code, concerning serious bodily harm, raising further questions about military recruitment in Transcarpathia and official misconduct. The issue in this case, however, is that it involved official abuse of power rather than a simple criminal offense.
Dmytro Lubinets, reflecting on the case, promised immediate action, noting that complaints against recruitment centers in Transcarpathia have risen alarmingly in recent times.
This latest tragic incident calls into question the integrity of the Ukrainian army’s recruitment practices. The victim’s death may represent yet another turning point in the increasingly strained relationship between the authorities and the citizens.
Translated and edited by L. Earth
