Ukrainian President signs law to mobilize prisoners to fight

According to RIA Novosti, data on the website of the Ukrainian Parliament said that on May 17, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a bill to mobilize criminals serving sentences in prisons.

Earlier, the bill "On amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine and other laws of the country on introducing the institution of temporary release of prisoners serving sentences for their direct participation in the defense of the country, the protection of its independence and territorial integrity" was posted on the website of the Ukrainian Parliament. And now, this bill has been signed by President Zelensky.

The new law allows individuals convicted of certain crimes to be released on parole while they sign a contract to join the military. This paves the way for voluntary conscription of prisoners, an effort that some Ukrainian officials say could mobilize as many as 20,000 soldiers.

Prisoners allowed to enlist do not include those convicted of crimes such as premeditated murder, sexual violence, drug trafficking and production, or crimes against national security.

On April 16, President Zelensky signed a law to increase military mobilization in Ukraine. The law will come into effect on May 18. The document requires all people subject to military service to update their data at the military registration and enlistment office within 60 days of being notified of their enlistment.

To do this, the summoned persons must go directly to the military registration and enlistment office, or register in the electronic account, through which the summons can also be served. The summons will be considered served, even if the summoned person has not been seen.

In addition, President Zelensky also signed into law a bill increasing the fine for draft dodgers to 8,500 hryvnia (about 218 USD), while the average monthly salary in Ukraine is about 560 USD. Ukraine also lowered the military age from 27 to 25 years old./.