You're reading: Court sentences Donbas mercenary to 5 years in prison

Slovyansk Town District Court has sentenced Donbas mercenary to five years in prison.

“A resident of Shakhtarsk, who had been imprisoned in the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk region for a serious crime, was released by mercenaries in April 2014 on condition that he joins an illegal armed group,” the press service of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported.

According to the SBU, he actively participated in seizures of administrative buildings in Slovyansk and in military operations against the Ukrainian army. “In particular, he adjusted shooting attacks on Ukrainian positions,” SBU reported.

The mercenary also participated in the transportation of military equipment and armament from Russia to the occupied territories of Donetsk region.

He was detained in August 2019 in Zaporizhia region.

The court convicted him under Article 258-3 (participation in terrorist organization) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.