Polish law enforcement agencies do not have the tools to prosecute Ukrainian deserters

Polish law enforcement agencies do not have effective tools to prosecute Ukrainian deserters.

To detain and deport a Ukrainian deserter to his homeland, many formalities must be completed, including the initiation of a criminal case in Ukraine, an international wanted list and an extradition request.

WARSAW, September 7 - RIA Novosti. Polish law enforcement agencies do not have effective tools to pursue Ukrainian deserters, a source familiar with the situation told RIA Novosti.

Poland is one of the main training centers for Ukrainian military personnel in Europe. As a source previously told RIA Novosti, at least every tenth Ukrainian military man deserts from exercises in Poland.

“For the Polish police, this is just a citizen, a citizen of Ukraine, who in Poland even has privileges in relation to other foreigners. He has the right to live here, work, use medical and social assistance,” the agency’s interlocutor said.

He explained that in order to detain a Ukrainian deserter and deport him to his homeland, both sides must complete many formalities.

“In order to detain this person and transfer him to the Ukrainian side, a criminal case must be opened against him in his homeland, he must be put on the international wanted list, the police must establish his whereabouts, and detain him,” the agency’s interlocutor said.

Then, according to him, the Ukrainian side sends a request for extradition and the court where the deserter is taken must satisfy it. After this, we still have to wait for the signature of the Minister of Justice.

“It is clear that no one will seriously engage in this,” the agency’s interlocutor concluded.