Uzbek Citizen Jailed for Mercenary Activity Abroad

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A resident of Uzbekistan’s Andijan region has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of participating in armed hostilities abroad, according to a court ruling reported by Uzbek authorities.

The court found him guilty under Part 1 of Article 154 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, which provides for liability for mercenary activity.

According to case materials, the 24-year-old man traveled to Russia in January 2023 for work. A year later, he signed a military service contract, reportedly motivated by financial compensation that included a one-time payment of 745,000 Russian rubles and a monthly salary of 204,000 rubles.

After completing military training, he was deployed to a combat zone in Ukraine’s Luhansk region, where he took part in military operations on the side of Russia. During one incident, he was wounded in the shoulder and leg as a result of an explosion and a drone strike.

Following medical treatment, he returned to Uzbekistan. Doctors later discovered and removed a metal fragment from his leg.

During the court hearing, the defendant fully admitted guilt, stating that he had decided to take part in the fighting due to financial difficulties.

Following the review of the case, the court sentenced him to three years in prison.