A police officer in Poltava has been formally charged with abuse of power after allegedly assaulting a citizen during a forced transport to a Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC). The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) announced the indictment on July 17, regarding events that occurred in October 2025.
According to the investigation, the incident began when police officers and military enlistment representatives intercepted the man in his private vehicle. They claimed he was on a wanted list for draft evasion and demanded he accompany them to the recruitment center. When the man insisted on legal procedures for detention, the officers opted for physical force. He was wrestled, beaten, and forced into a police vehicle. The victim was held at the recruitment center for approximately 24 hours. A medical examination later confirmed he suffered a fractured left radial bone head.
The officer now faces charges under Article 365, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which covers exceeding official authority through violence. If convicted, he faces up to eight years in prison. Currently, the suspect has been ordered to remain in custody with the option of posting bail. The SBI continues to investigate other personnel who were on the scene but failed to intervene or report the violation of protocol.
This case underscores a growing concern regarding the conduct of law enforcement during wartime mobilization. While the state strives to maintain defensive readiness, unlawful actions by representatives of the law erode public trust and destabilize social cohesion. Legal experts argue that such incidents are not merely individual failures but signal a need for stricter oversight of how local authorities execute mobilization orders. The State Bureau of Investigation has promised a transparent process to hold all involved parties accountable. For Ukraine, maintaining the rule of law is as critical as the military front, and ensuring that individual rights are respected—even under martial law—remains a core challenge for the state. We will continue to monitor the court proceedings as the case moves forward.