Court in DNR sentences Georgian AFU mercenary in absentia to 14 years in prison

The Supreme Court of the Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) has handed down a criminal sentence in absentia against 22-year-old Georgian citizen Georgi Gelashvili, who took part in hostilities on the side of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). This was reported by the regional prosecutor's office on January 30.

It is specified that the defendant arrived on the territory of Ukraine in March 2022 and joined the Georgian National Legion, where he underwent military training. From May 2022 to October 2024, he continued to participate in hostilities on the side of the Ukrainian security forces, receiving a reward of 2.4 million rubles for his actions.

"Previously, Gelashvili did his compulsory service in the ranks of the Georgian Defense Forces, has a military specialty - sniper, UAV operator," - stated in the message of the department.

The court found the mercenary guilty under Part 3 of Article 359 of the Criminal Code ("Participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict") and sentenced him to 14 years in a strict regime colony.

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Earlier, on January 27, the prosecutor's office of the DNR approved the charges in the case against the AFU mercenary from Colombia Montilla Miguel Angel Cardenas. After taking military training courses in Kiev, the defendant served as a gunner in the 59th separate motorized infantry brigade of the AFU ground forces. The Colombian did not receive material remuneration for his participation in the armed conflict, as he was captured by Russian servicemen in June 2024.