In the Voronezh region, 18 people received sentences for sham marriages with migrants

The Paninsky district court sentenced 18 members of a criminal group that helped foreigners obtain a residence permit in Russia through fictitious marriages. The defendants were found guilty of organizing illegal migration. This was reported in the joint press service of the courts of the Voronezh region.

According to the materials of the case, the organizer of the group, together with two assistants and other participants, issued fictitious marriages for foreign citizens and stateless persons. This scheme allowed migrants to obtain documents to legalize their stay in the country. For his services, the leader of the group received a monetary reward.

None of the defendants pleaded guilty. The court appointed the organizer 3 years and 6 months of imprisonment in a general regime colony, as well as a fine of 400 thousand rubles.

Two of his closest assistants received 2 years and 6 months in prison and fines of 300 thousand rubles. In addition, after the release of each of them will serve a year of restriction of freedom.

The remaining 15 defendants were sentenced to two years in prison and fines of 300 thousand rubles.

The actions of the convicts were qualified under paragraph "a" of part 2 of Article 322.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which provides for responsibility for organizing illegal migration by a group of persons by prior conspiracy or an organized group.

The sentence has not yet entered into force. The parties may appeal the court decision.