On June 18, the Fergana District Criminal Court considered the case of 24-year-old citizen B.M., accused of mercenary participation in the Russia-Ukraine war on the Russian side and illegally crossing Uzbekistan's border.

According to court documents, B.M. worked in Russia in 2021-2022. In March 2022, he was caught with 32 grams of heroin and sentenced by a Russian court to 9 years in prison.

While serving his sentence, B.M. accepted an offer from representatives of Russian military organizations to participate in hostilities in Ukraine. From May to October 2023, he fought as part of Russian forces in Luhansk.

During combat, B.M. stepped on a mine, severely injuring his right leg, which was later amputated. The injury resulted in a permanent loss of over 33% of his general working capacity.

On April 28, 2026, B.M. was detained by border guards while illegally crossing the border from Kyrgyzstan into Uzbekistan. His phone contained photos and videos of him in Russian military uniform.

In court, B.M. fully confessed and expressed remorse. The court considered mitigating circumstances: his second-group disability, status as the sole breadwinner, and voluntary return to Uzbekistan.

The court found B.M. guilty under Articles 154 (Mercenarism) and 223 (Illegal border crossing) of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan and sentenced him to 3 years and 6 months of restricted freedom. The convict may leave home only for work or study and must register monthly with internal affairs authorities.

Source: www.gazeta.uz