A Georgian citizen was convicted in absentia in Russia for participating in fighting in Ukraine.

A Russian court sentenced Georgian citizen Nuri Mitagvaria in absentia to 14 years in prison, finding him a participant in hostilities on the Ukrainian side.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," since the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine, Russian courts have repeatedly convicted Georgian citizens of mercenarism. Thus, at the end of March, a court in absentia sentenced Georgian citizen Shmagi Dighmelashvili to 14 years in prison for participating in hostilities on the side of the Ukrainian armed forces.

The court sentenced 34-year-old Georgian citizen Nuri Mitagvaria in absentia, finding him guilty of mercenarism (Part 3 of Article 359 of the Russian Criminal Code carries a sentence of seven to 15 years in prison), the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office announced. RF.

According to investigators, the man arrived in Ukraine in March 2022, where he underwent military training and received a firearm. He participated in combat operations against Russian military personnel for monetary compensation.

Mitagvariya has been placed on the international wanted list. The court sentenced him to 14 years in prison, according to the supervisory agency.

As a reminder, in November 2023, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported the capture of two Georgian citizens – Georgy Goglidze and Georgy Chubetidze. According to the ministry, they were snipers in Ukraine's Second International Legion. The leader of the International Legion stated that these fighters were not part of his unit, but called on Georgian authorities to intervene and release them. In response, the Georgian authorities stated that they "did not have the resources" to free the prisoners.

In April 2025, Georgiy Goglidze was sentenced to nine years in a maximum-security prison. In February 2026, Georgiy Chubetidze was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Human rights activists recognized Chubetidze as a political prisoner. "The Geneva Convention for the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts does not recognize as mercenaries those who officially serve in the armed forces of one of the warring parties. All foreigners accused of mercenarism served under contract in official units of the Ukrainian army," they explained.