Kyrgyzstani citizen sentenced to 10 years in prison for fighting in Ukraine alongside Russia

A Bishkek district court sentenced a Kyrgyzstani citizen to 10 years imprisonment for fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine, reported the court’s verdict.

According to the court document, in June 2022, the accused joined armed groups in the self-proclaimed “Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR)” in order to obtain Russian citizenship. He arrived in the city of Brianka and was later relocated to the city of Popasna. After he was dismissed from military service in November 2022, he returned back to Bishkek via Moscow.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and said he was “on LNR territory,” but did not participate in any combat.

Citizens of Kyrgyzstan are prohibited from participating in foreign countries’ military conflicts. Those who violate the law can be sentenced to up to 15 years imprisonment.