Radio Liberty’s Uzbek Service, known locally as Radio Ozodlik, reported on October 31 that a Tashkent court has sentenced Uzbekistani citizen Ildar Khairulin to five years in prison for allegedly participating in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Khairulin was reportedly charged with “mercenary activities.”
According to the investigation document, Khairulin fought in Ukraine on the side of the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” in 2014–2015. As evidence, the investigators used, among other things, Khairulin’s profile on Myrotvorets (Peacekeeper), a Ukrainian site that compiles information about people accused of colluding with Russia or participating in separatist movements.
Meanwhile, Khairulin's relatives denied he had ever been to Ukraine, adding that all charges against him had been based on “false data” filed by the Kyiv-based NGO Myrotvorets, which aims to inform local law enforcement about foreign citizens who allegedly commit crimes against Ukraine.
According to Radio Ozodlik, Khairulin is the first citizen of Uzbekistan to be convicted for participating in a war in Ukraine.
As far as Tajikistan’s legislation is concerned, it stipulates that the participation of a mercenary in armed conflicts or battle operations is punishable by imprisonment for a period of 12 to 20 years.
Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin noted during a meeting with reporters in Dushanbe on February 17 this that the Foreign Ministry doesn't know how many Tajik nationals are being involved in a conflict between Russia and Tajikistan, “but the authorities are against participation of Tajik citizens in this conflict from both sides.”
Meanwhile, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reported in February this year that it has found information about ten Russia pardoned Tajik prisoners killed in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The Russian authorities do not provide any information, while the Tajik authorities do not comment on reports of the death of Tajik nationals in Ukraine.
