A Georgian citizen was sentenced in absentia to 28 years for participating in the war on the Ukrainian side.
A Russian court sentenced Georgian citizen Giorgi Partsvania in absentia to 28 years in prison for participating in hostilities on the Ukrainian side. He is charged with mercenarism, illegal border crossing, and participating in an attack on Russia's Belgorod Oblast. Investigators also allege that Partsvania fought against Russian forces in the so-called "DPR" and "LPR."
The human rights project "Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial" previously reported that Georgian citizens Mamuka Gatsrelia, Giorgi Chubetidze, and Giorgi Goglizde, persecuted by Russia for serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, have been recognized as political prisoners.
Gatsrelia defended Mariupol as part of the International Legion. He was captured in May 2022. On February 19, 2024, the Supreme Court of the "DPR" sentenced him to life imprisonment for "attempts on the lives of Russian military personnel" and mercenarism. Georgy Chubetidze and Georgy Goglizde also fought in the ranks of the International Legion. In November 2023, they were captured near Kremennaya.
According to human rights activists, none of the foreigners accused of mercenarism can be prosecuted for the mere fact of participating in military operations. Under international law, combatants captured during military operations are considered prisoners of war. Prisoners of war cannot be prosecuted unless they have committed war crimes.
