Kazakh Student Faces Prosecution At Home For Joining Russia's Wagner In Ukraine

A Kazakh student at Tomsk State University in Siberia who joined Russia's private mercenary group Wagner in March, may face up to nine years in prison for being in a mercenary group if he returns home, Kazakh Foreign Ministry spokesman Aibek Smadiyarov said on April 24. Marghulan Bekenov's mother, Almira Bekenova, has said her son was forced to join Wagner against his will. Wagner issued a video with Bekenov, who said he joined the group on his own will. However, many in Kazakhstan say Bekenov's statement on the video may have made under duress.