Ukrainian military recruitment officer suspected in fatal beating of conscript in Lviv

According to the SBI's October 20 statement, the officer and other personnel from a Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center (TCC), which handles military mobilization, allegedly punched and kicked the man in the torso and chest while he lay on the floor with his hands restrained behind his back.

Investigators say the suspect personally kicked the victim at least twice.

After the beating, the man was forcibly moved to a utility room at the recruitment center before an ambulance was called. Doctors found multiple fractured ribs, severe lung damage and other life-threatening injuries. He later died in hospital.

The alleged assault occurred in September, just weeks after a Lviv court convicted the same officer of accepting a bribe in collusion with others. In August, he received a sentence that did not involve imprisonment.

The officer now faces up to 10 years in prison on suspicion of intentionally causing grievous bodily harm resulting in death, committed by a group. A court has ordered him held in custody without bail.

The SBI said investigators were working to identify all recruitment center personnel involved in the assault.

The Lviv Oblast recruitment center expressed condolences to the victim's family and pledged to cooperate with investigators.

“Military service does not grant immunity from accountability under the law,” the center said, adding that violence and degrading treatment were unacceptable regardless of rank or position.