A scheme to sell a minor boy to "adopters" from Spain was disrupted at the border – the organizer received 10 years imprisonment
The Uzhhorod City District Court of Zakarpattia region delivered a verdict in a criminal case against the accused of attempted human trafficking.
Case circumstances No. 308/16327/23
The accused, previously working in boarding-type educational institutions, in prior conspiracy with unidentified persons, materials regarding whom have been separated into a separate proceeding, no later than April 8, 2023, found a woman who had a minor son.
Implementing a criminal intent aimed at moving and transferring the minor for exploitation in the form of adoption for profit, using bribery of the child's mother, on May 12, 2023, the accused organized a meeting at the "Villa Del Re" restaurant in Mukachevo city. During the meeting, he discussed with the mother the conditions of transferring the child for adoption abroad, specifically to Spain, inquired about the documents required for departure, informed that the child would be transferred to another family and the mother would never see him again, and took photographs of the child to coordinate with potential "buyers."
On June 23, 2023, the accused met the mother with the child at the Mukachevo railway station, transported them to an apartment, handed over an advance payment of 1,000 US dollars as payment for the transfer of the child, took the passport documents, and instructed on crossing the border.
On June 24, 2023, the accused transported the mother with the minor child by car to the "Mali Selmentsi" checkpoint, where during border control his actions were stopped by law enforcement officers.
Thus, the accused committed a completed attempt of human trafficking, i.e., moving and transferring a minor for exploitation in the form of adoption for profit, using bribery of the mother who controlled the child, in prior conspiracy with a group of persons.
Court decision
The court found the accused guilty of committing a criminal offense under part two of article 15, part 3 of article 149 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (completed attempt of human trafficking involving a minor).
He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for 1 year and confiscation of property.
Based on parts 1 and 4 of article 70 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, by combining criminal offenses through absorption of the less severe punishment assigned by the verdict of the Mukachevo City District Court of Zakarpattia region dated June 30, 2025, the final sentence was set as 10 years imprisonment with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for 1 year and confiscation of property.
The term of punishment is to be counted from the moment of actual detention on June 24, 2023, crediting the time spent in custody.
Physical evidence was decided upon according to the law, arrests were lifted.
The verdict may be appealed to the Zakarpattia Court of Appeal within thirty days from the date of its announcement.
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