Uzbekistan sentences man to five years in prison for allegedly fighting in war against Ukraine
A Tashkent court has sentenced Uzbekistani citizen Ildar Khairulin to five years in prison for allegedly participating in Russia’s war against Ukraine, according to RFE/RL’s Uzbek Service, Radio Ozodlik.
Khairulin was reportedly charged with “mercenary activities.” According to state investigators, he fought in Ukraine on the side of the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” in 2014–2015. As evidence, the investigators used, among other things, Khairulin’s profile on Myrotvorets, a Ukrainian site that compiles information about people accused of colluding with Russia or participating in separatist movements.
Khairulin’s relatives told Radio Ozodlik that the charges are “unfounded” and that they intend to appeal the court’s ruling. According to Khairulin’s brother, the photo that appears on his Myrotvorets profile was taken on Russian territory, and the weapon Khairulin is holding in the photo is an air gun.
According to Radio Ozodlik, Khairulin is the first citizen of Uzbekistan to be convicted for participating in combat on Ukrainian territory.
