Uzbekistan hands down historic verdict against Uzbek who joined DPR Russian proxy group
A 38-year-old Uzbek national has been sentenced to five years in prison in his home country for fighting on behalf of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Radio Liberty’s local Ozodlik project reported on Oct. 31.
Ildar Khairulin was found guilty of belonging to an armed mercenary group by an Uzbek court after taking part in hostilities against Ukraine in 2014–2015.
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This is the first known case involving the sentencing of a citizen of Uzbekistan for participating in hostilities in Ukraine.
The prosecutor in the case cited a profile opened in the name of Khairulin on Ukraine’s Myrotvorets website, which publishes a running list of people who are considered to be enemies of Ukraine.
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In the image, Khairulin can be seen wearing a DPR uniform and holding a firearm. The DPR is proscribed as a terrorist organization by the Ukrainian government
Earlier, Reuters reported that in the Russian city of Oryol, Uzbek citizens working at a local waste processing plant were issued draft summons and ordered to report to the local military enlistment office.
The Uzbek embassy in Russia stated that the summonses were handed to 26 Uzbeks by mistake.
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Earlier, the country warned its citizens against joining foreign armed forces, as this is a criminal offense under Uzbek law.
Tashkent has stated that it does not recognize the independence of the so-called DPR and supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
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