Russian draftee given five years behind bars over going AWOL during exemplary sentencing

The Tula Garrison Military Court has sentenced mobilised serviceman Nikishin (name not indicated in the documents — editor’s note), charged with going AWOL, to five years in a penal colony, the joint press service of Tula courts reports.

The statement notes that the case was tried during an on-site hearing in the military unit. Around 400 people were present at the sentencing — including the commanders of the unit, draftees, contract servicemen, and conscripts.

According to the statement, after the sentencing the presiding judge “gave a talk” to the personnel about the criminal liability for crimes related to violating the rules of military service.

Media outlet 7x7 notes that Nikishin left his unit on 9 December 2022. On 20 January 2023, he went to the district military commander’s office on his own.

This is not the first case of “exemplary” sentencings when it comes to Russian servicemen who went AWOL. In April, the same Tula Garrison Military Court sentenced a contract soldier to seven years in a penal colony over the charges of desertion. His sentence was also proclaimed during an exemplary court hearing in the presence of the unit’s commanders, draftees, contract servicemen, and conscripts.