Georgian citizens Mamuka Gatsrelia, Georgy Chubetidze, and Georgy Goglizde, persecuted by Russia for serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, have been recognized as political prisoners. This statement was made by the independent human rights project "Memorial".

Mamuka Gatsrelia defended Mariupol as part of the International Legion. In May 2022, he was captured. On February 19, 2024, the Supreme Court of the "DPR" sentenced him to life imprisonment in the case of "attempt on the lives of servicemen" of the Russian Federation and mercenarism. Georgy Chubetidze and Georgy Goglizde also fought in the ranks of the International Legion. In November 2023, they were captured near Kremennaya. They are both also charged under the article on mercenarism.

"The Geneva Convention for the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts does not recognize as mercenaries those who officially serve in the armed forces of one of the warring parties. All foreigners accused of mercenarism served under contract in official units of the Ukrainian army," Memorial notes.

According to human rights activists, none of the foreigners accused of mercenarism can be prosecuted for the very fact of participating in military actions. According to international law, combatants detained during military actions are considered prisoners of war. The latter, if they did not commit war crimes, cannot be subject to criminal prosecution.