Russia’s Southern District Military Court has sentenced Ukrainian citizen Denys Narolsky to 18 years in prison, accusing him of “state treason” for refusing to fight against Ukraine, according to a report from the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group on October 24.
31-year-old Narolsky is originally from occupied Crimea. He was previously sentenced to nine years for “desertion” after leaving the Russian military following his forced mobilization in 2022.
The court's decision, issued on October 22, 2024, has been condemned by several human rights organizations.
Narolsky was mobilized into the Russian army in September 2022 but fled from his military unit just days later, refusing to participate in the war against Ukraine. With family and friends in Ukraine, he strongly opposed fighting against his own people.
His efforts to escape to mainland Ukraine, including contact with Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), resulted in the more severe charge of “state treason.”
Narolsky’s case has drawn significant attention due to Russia’s use of citizenship laws to prosecute Ukrainians.
Although Russia imposed its citizenship on Crimean residents, Narolsky’s Russian passport was used to justify the “treason” charge against him.
Human rights group Memorial has recognized Narolsky as a political prisoner, condemning Russia for forcing Ukrainians to fight against their own country and harshly punishing those who refuse. Memorial, along with Narolsky’s family, is appealing the Russian court’s ruling.
Earlier, it was reported that a 16-year-old Russian schoolboy, considered Russia’s youngest political prisoner, has been subjected to beatings by his cellmates at a Moscow detention center.
