Kazakhstan sentences citizen who fought against Ukraine to prison
Pravda Ukraine
A court in the city of Satbayev, Kazakhstan, has sentenced a Kazakhstani man who fought in the ranks of the Wagner Group (Wagner Private Military Company) against Ukraine to 4.6 years in prison.
Source: Kazakh edition of Radio Svoboda
Quote from the court: “In the autumn of 2022, the defendant G, being in the city of Jezkazgan… being informed through the media and the internet social network about the armed conflict and hostilities taking place abroad, pursuing an ideological goal, since G’s deceased father, born in 1931, is a native of Kharkiv and, in his opinion, the authorities of a foreign state restrict the rights of residents of Russian nationality, began to harbour ideas of travelling abroad to participate in the armed conflict.”
Details: The court reported that the man left Kazakhstan and took part in hostilities against the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the side of the Wagner Group. The Russians promised him a salary of RUB 240,000 (approx. US$ 2,330).
The court in Kazakhstan also noted that the defendant initially served as the head of an artillery weapons storage point and was later transferred to a Wagner combat unit. The man returned to Kazakhstan on a flight from Moscow to Astana in July 2023.
During the court hearing, he pleaded guilty to intentional participation in an armed conflict abroad. Travelling abroad to participate in hostilities by Kazakhstani citizens is punishable by law. The country’s Criminal Code provides for liability under the articles Mercenarism and Participation in foreign armed conflicts.
Background: In the summer of 2023, reports suggested that the Wagner PMC was recruiting fighters to participate in the war against Ukraine not only in Russia but also in other countries.
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