A court in Bishkek announced on May 6 that an internal investigation had been launched into the escape of a Kyrgyz man to Russia after he was handed a suspended seven-year prison term for joining Russia's armed forces and fighting in Ukraine. Askar Kubanychbek-uulu fled Kyrgyzstan for Russia last month. Russia's Interior Ministry said at the time that Kubanychbek-uulu was expected to obtain Russian citizenship. According to a ruling in January by the Birinchi Mai district court, Kubanychbek-uulu was banned from leaving the Kyrgyz capital while serving a three-year probation period that was part of his seven-year suspended sentence. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, click here.
Investigation Launched Into Convicted Kyrgyz Mercenary's Escape To Russia
Askar Kubanychbek-uulu (file photo)