Ukrainian government denies reports of mercenaries fighting in Sierra Leone

WASHINGTON - Several major American newspapers, quoting the authorities in Sierra Leone, have recently published information about the participation of Ukrainian citizens on the side of rebels in the civil war that ravages that country. The Embassy of Ukraine has responded that neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, nor other relevant state authorities of Ukraine have any information to support allegations mentioned in the news reports.

According to the International Convention Against Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries, adopted by the United Nations in 1989, mercenary activity is qualified as a crime. Ukraine signed the convention in 1990 and ratified it in 1993.

Having acceded to this international document, the Embassy stated, Ukraine pledged to undertake all necessary measures to counter such activity. Article 63-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine envisages imprisonment from three to 12 years for "recruiting, financing, maintaining and training mercenaries," as well as for "participation without sanction of relevant state authorities in armed conflicts of other states with the goal of receiving material or other personal benefits."

Should the specific facts of mercenary activity by the citizens of Ukraine, including that in Sierra Leone, be confirmed, those involved would be subject to criminal punishment in accordance with the laws of Ukraine, noted the Embassy of Ukraine.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, January 17, 1999, No. 3, Vol. LXVII

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