The Ukrainian Parliament approves a draft law allowing the recruitment of prisoners in exchange for amnesty

On Wednesday, the Ukrainian Parliament approved a draft law allowing certain categories of prisoners to fight in the ranks of the armed forces in exchange for receiving amnesty, at a time when Kiev seeks to mobilize more soldiers against Moscow.

Representative Olena Shulyak, head of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s party, said in a post on Facebook: “The text was adopted by a majority of 279 votes in the second reading. The law must still be signed by the Speaker of Parliament and Zelensky before it enters into force.”

Shuliak explained that this measure will only include prisoners who have expressed their desire to defend their country, adding that it will require the approval of the military authorities after verifying the prisoner’s physical and psychological health.

She added that this text would not include prisoners convicted of certain serious crimes, especially “premeditated murder of more than two people,” sexual violence, attacks on national security, or “serious” convictions for corruption.

Therefore, people convicted while holding important political positions will not be eligible for this procedure. According to Shuliak, these prisoners will serve in special units in the army.

The Ukrainian MP explained that only prisoners who have spent less than three years in prison will be able to submit such a request, adding: “We cannot survive in conditions of a comprehensive war against an enemy that has more resources except by strengthening all our forces.”

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine, stipulating that to end it, Kiev “relinquished” plans to join military entities, most notably NATO, which prompted capitals, led by Washington, to impose severe economic sanctions on Moscow.
It is noteworthy that Moscow recruited tens of thousands of prisoners to fight on the front.