[ad_1]
The Prague court passed a sentence in absentia to the Czech mercenary Jiri Urbanek, who fought in eastern Ukraine as part of the pro-Russian armed formations of the DPR, informs Idnes.
The convict, who fought under the call sign “Begemot”, will spend 20 years in a strict regime colony. He was found guilty of being a member of a terrorist group and of committing a terrorist attack.
Urbanek arrived in Ukraine in 2015. At least until January 2018, he helped pro-Russian militants dig trenches, patrolled territory not controlled by Kiev, and took part in the battles near Maryinka, Krasnogorovka and Spartak. Urbanek himself reported this on social networks.
Jiri Urbanek’s mother and brother refused to testify in court. However, their testimony obtained during the preliminary investigation confirms that he was in Ukraine.
In court, the testimony of Lukash Novachek, who is also accused of participating in hostilities in Donbass, was read out. Novachek identified Urbanek as one of the DPR militants, whom he met in 2015-2016.
One of the witnesses told the court that Urbanek went to Donbass to earn money. He allegedly received 15 thousand Russian rubles a month. This was confirmed by the mother of the accused, informs “Crimea. Realities”.
The prosecutor requested 20 years in prison for the mercenary. The lawyer appointed by Urbanek asked to acquit the defendant. According to the defender, Urbanek’s Facebook profile does not contain direct evidence of his participation in the hostilities.
The chairman of the court, Khan Krestynova, agreed with the state prosecution. She noted that for Urbanek to be found guilty of terrorism, his presence in the illegal armed groups is enough.
The judge added that for crimes of this gravity, the minimum punishment is 19 years and four months.
Jiri Urbanek and his friend Pavel Botka (call sign “Kavkaz”) worked as bodyguards for Cypriot mafia clans and diamond traders in Africa before arriving in Donbass, Idnes notes. In 2019, Botka was blown up by a mine and lost his leg. After that, they left the formation of the DPR and converted to Islam. However, both mercenaries showed a willingness to return to a hot spot.
In the Czech Republic, Urbanek has 13 convictions, mostly for theft of cars and crimes against property.
Note that in one of the published photographs of Urbanek, next to him is Alexander Zaldostanov, nicknamed the Surgeon, the leader of the Russian biker club “Night Wolves”. Zaldostanov calls himself a friend of Vladimir Putin, enjoys the support of the Kremlin, and also took part in the annexation of Crimea to Russia. The United States and Canada have included Zaldostanov on the sanctions lists.
Earlier this year, the Czech Republic increased the term of imprisonment from 4.5 years to 21 years for a citizen of Belarus Alexei Fadeev, who also participated in hostilities in the Donbass on the side of pro-Russian militants. About it reported UNIAN.
[ad_2]
Source link
