On October 23, the Yukorichirchik district criminal court sentenced a resident of the Tashkent region to five years in prison under the Mercenarism charge. The press service of the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan said.

The man was found guilty under Mercenarism, that is, participation on the territory or side of a foreign state in an armed conflict or military action... for the purpose of obtaining financial reward or other personal benefits charge.

The name of the convict , 38, were not given, only his initials were indicated - I. Kh., and also that he worked as a welder.

Radio Ozodlik (Uzbek Service of the Liberty Radio) reported that it was about Ildar Khairulin. The news publication, citing investigation documents, said that according to law enforcement agencies, the convict fought in Ukraine in 2014-2015 on the part of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic.

As evidence, the investigation cited the man’s profile on the Ukrainian website Myrotvorets (Peacemaker). WhileIn addition, investigators claim that they found screenshots on Khairulin’s phone confirming his guilt, the publication notes.

Relatives of the convicted person told Ozodlik that the investigation and trial in this case were groundless. They confirmed that the website actually published a photo of Khairulin, but, according to them, the photo was taken in Tatarstan, and the man was holding an air gun, which is not prohibited there. The family also claims that Khairulin “did not travel at all” to Ukraine.

According to the Supreme Court, the convict filed an appeal against the ruling of the court.

Previously, the Prosecutor General's Office called on countrymen abroad not to join the ranks of the armed forces abroad and not to participate in hostilities, and also warned of criminal liability for this.