Georgian politician sentenced in absentia to 6 years in prison in Russia

One of the leaders of the Strong Georgia party, Aleko Elisashvili, has been sentenced in absentia to six years in prison in Russia. According to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, he took part in hostilities on the side of Ukraine as a mercenary (Part 3 of Article 359 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

The investigation claims that in March 2022, Elisashvili joined one of the armed formations on the territory of Ukraine, underwent military training, received weapons, ammunition and the necessary equipment. According to the Russian department, for monetary compensation, he carried out orders from the command and participated in battles against the Russian military.

The court sentenced Elisashvili in absentia to six years in a maximum security penal colony. He was previously put on the international wanted list.

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