Penza regional prosecutor’s office declares first criminal draft evasion case since start of mobilization unlawful

The Penza regional prosecutor’s office has ruled that the first criminal charges filed for draft evasion since the start of Russia’s mobilization effort are unlawful, according to Pavel Chikov, head of the rights group Agora.

Investigators plan to appeal the office’s decision and seek to reopen the case.

The 32-year old defendant in the now-closed case was granted the right to rehabilitation, including compensation for the 48 hours he spent in prison.