Zelensky signs law increasing Russia’s accountability for child deportations

This was announced on Facebook by Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Olena Kondratiuk, Ukrinform reports.

“It is very symbolic that on Ukrainian Statehood Day, the President of Ukraine signed my bill amending the Criminal Code to establish liability for the illegal transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children, unjustified delay in the repatriation of children, and the recruitment and use of children for military purposes by representatives of foreign states,” Kondratiuk said.

She emphasized that this refers to the aggressor country Russia and its crimes against Ukrainian children.

“Now they are singled out in our legislation. Each of them carries criminal liability of 8 to 12 years' imprisonment,” the deputy speaker clarified.

In her opinion, Law 4499-IX will facilitate the work of investigators, and it is also about justice and inevitable punishment.

“This is about further opportunities to expand Ukrainian and international sanctions against Russian officials and other persons who will be reasonably involved in proceedings under these articles of the Criminal Code,” Kondratiuk concluded.

As reported by Ukrinform, on June 17, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law amending the Criminal Code of Ukraine to establish liability for the illegal transfer, deportation, unjustified delay in repatriation of a child, recruitment and use of a child for military purposes by a representative of a foreign state.

Photo: OP