The TCC commented on the forceful detention of a passerby in Lviv.

On Tuesday, January 7, a video surfaced online showing the forceful detention of a pedestrian in Lviv by men in military uniforms. The Lviv Regional Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support (TCRC and SP) responded to the incident, explaining that the military had to use force as the citizen did not have any documents with him and refused to voluntarily go to the TCRC. The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada, Dmytro Lubinets, reported that his representative in Lviv region contacted the military law enforcement service and the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) regarding the incident.

The video that was published online shows three men in military uniforms and one in civilian clothes pushing a resisting pedestrian into a minibus. The communication between the conflict participants initially escalates into a scuffle, and later the pedestrian is kicked into the vehicle. According to commenters, the incident occurred on Malogoloskivska Street, and the man who was forcibly put into the minibus had stepped out of his house to take out the trash.

According to the Lviv Regional TCRC and SP, the aforementioned pedestrian violated military registration rules and was subject to mobilization. He did not have military registration documents with him, so he was offered to go to the Shevchenkivskyi TCRC and SP for a medical examination and to determine his fitness for military service.

“Instead, the conscript refused, began to insult the soldiers with foul language, and struck one of them in the face with his elbow. In response to such behavior, the representatives of the Shevchenkivskyi TCRC and SP applied physical force,” the statement reads.

At the same time, the leadership of the regional TCRC stated that they condemn the use of force by the military personnel against the citizen. A service investigation has been initiated regarding this incident. The TCRC employees involved in the conflict have been suspended from their official duties.

Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reacted to the incident, noting that his representative in Lviv region, Taras Podvirnyi, has already contacted the military law enforcement service and is preparing a statement to the DBR.

“If human rights violations are confirmed, I demand an appropriate response and holding those responsible accountable according to the legislation of Ukraine,” Dmytro Lubinets wrote.

The TCRC also reminded that conscripts must carry their military registration documents and present them upon request from authorized persons. In case of disputed issues regarding mobilization, one can contact the hotline for mobilization and military registration issues at 0800301937 or the call center of the Ground Forces Command at 0800500410.