The courts of the Kashkadarya region have completed the examination of a criminal case against a 59-year-old resident of the region. This was reported by Upl.uz.
He was accused of participating as a mercenary in an armed conflict. According to the court's verdict, this individual was found guilty under Article 154-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Documents from the court proceedings reveal that the defendant had gone to the Russian Federation in search of work. However, in August 2021, he was found guilty by a Russian court of murdering a person living in a neighboring dwelling and was sentenced to 9 years in prison.
While serving his sentence, in September 2022, he accepted an offer from representatives of the private military company "Wagner." According to the terms of the contract, he was offered a monthly monetary reward, the possibility of obtaining Russian citizenship, and a pardon from the remaining sentence.
He participated in military operations in Ukraine for six months until March 2023 as part of this military structure. After fulfilling the terms of the contract, he was pardoned and demobilized.
Until March 2025, he continued his work activities in the Russian capital and then returned to Uzbekistan. Upon arriving in his homeland, he voluntarily contacted law enforcement agencies.
He presented a collection of documents confirming his guilt. These materials formed the basis of the criminal case.
During the court session, the defendant fully admitted his guilt, expressed remorse for his actions, and requested leniency from the court. Taking into account all circumstances of the case, including his voluntary arrival and sincere confession, the court imposed a sentence of three and a half years of restriction of freedom.
This case is not new in the judicial practice of Uzbekistan. Previously, a 25-year-old city resident in Tashkent was also convicted on similar charges and sentenced to restriction of freedom.
These court decisions demonstrate Uzbekistan's firm stance towards citizens who have served in foreign armed formations. Article 154-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan stipulates a punishment of 7 to 12 years of imprisonment for mercenarism.
At the same time, voluntary confession of the crime and active assistance in exposing the crime may be recognized by the court as grounds for leniency. This is clearly evident in this case, as it may significantly influence the court's verdict.
