Russian court acquits soldier accused of killing fellow serviceman in Ukraine

Russia’s Novocherkassk garrison military court acquitted Zaindi Takayev, a contract soldier from Chechnya, who was accused of killing a fellow serviceman in the self-proclaimed “LNR,” reports Russian newspaper Kommersant. The judgement was also posted on the court’s website.

Takayev was unanimously acquitted by the jury. The judge then released Takayev from custody and granted him the right to rehabilitation. The prosecutor’s office and the victim’s representatives filed an appeal against the acquittal with the Southern District Military Court.

Takayev was accused of killing 20-year-old Magomed Shakhbanov, a fellow serviceman from Dagestan, on June 6, 2022 in the yard of a residential building in the city of Pervomaisk. According to the investigation, Takayev shot Shakhbanov in the head while they were drinking. Two local residents who were with the soldiers confirmed this account. According to other servicemen, Takayev and Shakhbanov had no reason for hostility and Takayev said the shots were fired from nearby bushes. Kommersant wrote that the jury’s decision could have been influenced by contradictions and inconsistencies in the case.

In their appeal, the victim’s representatives and the prosecutor’s office pointed to procedural violations committed in the garrison court. The appeal’s authors said the jury could have unanimously made an acquittal decision because of pressure exerted on them.

According to Kommersant, this was the first known acquittal of a Russian soldier who fought in Ukraine.