Namangan Court Sentences Man for Participation in Combat in Donetsk Region

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Namangan Criminal Court has ruled on the case of R. S., who was accused of mercenary activity.

According to the case materials, in 2021 the man traveled to Russia for work but was later convicted of illegal trafficking of psychotropic substances and sentenced to 9.5 years in prison.

While serving his sentence, he and other inmates received an offer from representatives of the Russian Ministry of Defense to sign a contract in exchange for a pardon, financial compensation, and citizenship.

In January 2025, R. S. signed the contract and was sent to the combat zone in the Donetsk region, where, after brief military training, he participated in combat operations and sustained shrapnel injuries.

In March of the same year, he escaped from the hospital, contacted the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Moscow, and returned home.

The court determined that the man was not a citizen or servicemember of the conflicting side and acted solely out of personal interest.

Considering his admission of guilt, remorse, and absence of aggravating circumstances, the court sentenced R. S. to three years and six months of restricted freedom.