Ukrainian parliament to tighten responsibility for forgery

The parliament adopted at first reading the bill No. 3946 introducing amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine on liability for theft, appropriation, sale, forgery of identity documents, documents confirming Ukrainian citizenship or special status of a person, as well as certificates of state registration of civil status acts, and/or the use of knowingly forged documents of this kind.

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, 264 MPs voted for a respective decision at a parliament meeting on Thursday, December 3.

The bill proposes that theft, misappropriation of identity documents, documents confirming Ukrainian citizenship or special status of a person, or certificates of state registration of civil status acts, as well as intentional illegal possession of them in any other way, be punishable by arrest for up to six months or restriction freedom for up to three years.

The use of knowingly forged identity documents, documents confirming Ukrainian citizenship or special status of a person, or certificates of state registration of civil status acts, is to be punished with arrest for up to six months or restriction of liberty for three to five years.

At the same time, forgery of identity documents, documents confirming Ukrainian citizenship or special status of a person or certificates of state registration of civil status acts, as well as the acquisition, sale, or other transfer of such forged documents is punishable by arrest for up to six months or imprisonment for up to three years.

The above offenses committed again or committed by a group of persons or an official using his or her office are punishable by imprisonment for a term of three to five years with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years or without such.

The bill was registered in parliament on July 30, 2020.

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