The Southern District Military Court sentenced a 32-year-old fighter of the Ukrainian battalion 'Azov' Vitaly Kostyuchenko to 18 years in a high-security penal colony, reported 'Mediazona'** in the court's press service. Kostyuchenko was found guilty under the articles 'participation in a terrorist community' and 'training for terrorist activities'.
At the same time, according to information on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Kostyuchenko was listed as missing since September 2022.
In August 2022, the Russian Supreme Court recognized 'Azov' as a terrorist organization, and on the territory of the self-proclaimed DPR, a similar court decision was made back in 2016. In the courts over the servicemen of this battalion, the prosecution only needs to prove that they served in 'Azov'. The fact that they served in the regular army and were captured, as well as the provisions of the Geneva Convention, are ignored by the investigation and courts.
As calculated by The Insider,*** only in July, 55 Ukrainian soldiers were convicted under 'terrorist articles', in August — 39.
'Mediazona' found out that many prisoners are tried a second, and some even a third time, on the same charges.
* Recognized in Russia as a 'terrorist organization'.
** Recognized in Russia as a 'foreign agent'.
*** Recognized in Russia as a 'foreign agent' and 'undesirable' organization.