In Transcarpathia, five smugglers have been charged in connection with the deaths of men in the Tisza River.

The law enforcement agencies of Transcarpathia have announced suspicions against five organizers of a scheme to evade mobilization. The perpetrators devised an escape route for clients to Romania via the Tisza River. However, when two men began to drown during the crossing, their guide fled instead of helping them. This was reported on Saturday, December 28, by the Office of the Prosecutor General.

According to the investigation, the illegal scheme was organized by residents of the Transcarpathian and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. They charged clients between $7,000 and $10,000 per person for their services.

“In April 2024, one such attempt ended tragically – two members of the group who were crossing the border by swimming across the Tisza drowned. Their bodies were found on the riverbank in the territories of the Tyachiv and Khust districts. One man is still considered missing. Others managed to reach Romania,” the Office of the Prosecutor General reported.

The route for the illegal transport began in the village of Bedevlya in the Tyachiv district. The suspects were aware that in spring the river is full, making it impossible to cross on foot. However, they did not inform clients of this and instead assured them that everything was safe.

“One of the suspects accompanied the group directly to the bank of the Tisza River. When the men entered the water, started calling for help, and began to drown, he left the scene,” the law enforcement officials added.

Investigators have charged the detainees with organizing illegal transportation across the state border, committed by a group in a manner dangerous to life and health (part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The penalty for this article provides for imprisonment of seven to nine years.

Currently, preventive measures have been chosen for the five suspects – detention with the possibility of bail. The total amount for all was set at 35.4 million UAH. Additionally, within the investigation, law enforcement has seized property belonging to the suspects.