Kyrgyz Jailed For Fighting For Russia In Ukraine Gets Early Release

Beknazar Borugul-uulu after his arrest (file photo)

A Kyrgyz man who was sentenced to five years in prison last year for joining Russia's Wagner mercenary group to fight in Ukraine has been released due to a January presidential amnesty decree, a Kyrgyz court announced on June 25. Beknazar Borugul-uulu was released after his term was cut by more than four years. Earlier this month, another Kyrgyz man, whose name was not disclosed, was sentenced to five years in prison for joining the Russian troops fighting in Ukraine. In January, a Bishkek court handed a suspended seven-year prison term to another Kyrgyz man, Askar Kubanychbek-uulu, for joining the Russian military in Ukraine. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, click here.