Russian officer sentenced to 6.5 years for deserting amid war he opposed

Russian officer sentenced to 6.5 years for deserting amid war he opposed

A Russian safety officer who fled the nation as a result of he objected to the invasion of Ukraine has been sentenced to six-and-a-half years in high-security jail, the Taiga.information news web site reported on Friday.

Federal Protective Service Major Mikhail Zhilin, 36, fled to Kazakhstan final yr when Russia introduced a conscription marketing campaign, illegally crossing the border via woods whereas his spouse and youngsters drove via a checkpoint.

Zhilin sought refugee standing within the former Soviet republic however his request was denied and authorities there stopped him from leaving for Armenia.

Kazakhstan handed him over to Russia late final yr, resulting in the uncommon conviction of an officer for desertion.

According to Taiga.information, a court docket within the metropolis of Barnaul discovered Zhilin, who had labored on communications at a safety facility in Siberia, responsible of deserting and unlawful border crossing and, along with the jail time period, stripped him of his officer rank.

A Barnaul court docket clerk reached by phone confirmed that Zhilin has been sentenced however declined to supply any additional info.

Hundreds of hundreds of Russians fled from their nation due to final yr’s mobilisation and lots of of them moved to Kazakhstan, which shares the longest steady land border with Russia.

But in contrast to them, Zhilin had entry to info deemed secret because of his work on the company accountable for President Vladimir Putin’s safety, and Moscow was eager to get him again, his household instructed Reuters final yr.

Source: www.anews.com.tr