Car theft to be punished by prison term instead of fines

President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed into law a bill toughening liability for motor vehicle theft in Ukraine.

The law has amended Article 289 of the Criminal Code, the President's Office reports.

The "illegal seizure of a vehicle" is no longer punishable by a fine. Such actions shall entail imprisonment for a term from three to five years.

Read alsoParliament could increase speeding finesAlso, perpetrators could face up to eight years in prison – with or without confiscation of property – for the same actions committed with the use of electronic devices interfering with car alarm systems, or if a stolen vehicle's price ranges from UAH 100,000 to UAH 262,700 (that is, 100 to 250 tax-free subsistence minimums).

Background

• The Verkhovna Rada passed the relevant bill on September 3.
• The law comes into force on the day following the date of its publication.