Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — In December 2024, the Andijan City Criminal Court sentenced a citizen of Uzbekistan who took part in the armed conflict on the side of Russia against Ukraine.

According to the case materials, 39-year-old T.A., a resident of Marhamat District, traveled to Moscow in April 2023 in search of employment. While in the Russian capital, he decided to join the Russian Armed Forces. On 21 July 2023, he signed a contract and spent five months fighting in the Ukrainian cities of Shakhtarsk and Bakhmut.

Upon returning to Uzbekistan on 31 December 2023, he voluntarily turned himself in to law enforcement authorities and presented documents confirming his service in the Russian army. During the trial, the defendant fully admitted his guilt, expressed deep remorse, and explained that financial hardship as the sole breadwinner for his family had driven him to take this step.

The court found him guilty under Part 1 of Article 154 of the Criminal Code (mercenarism), which carries a penalty of 5 to 10 years of imprisonment, and Part 1 of Article 154-1 (enlistment in the military service of a foreign state), which provides for a fine or up to three years of corrective labor.

Taking into account mitigating factors such as his complete admission of guilt, lack of prior convictions, the presence of three children, and his expression of remorse, the court sentenced him to 4 years and 2 months of restricted freedom. The defendant is prohibited from leaving his place of residence without prior approval from supervisory authorities, except for work or study-related travel.

Additionally, he is barred from leaving Andijan Region.