Russia sentences Georgian fighter to 14 years in absentia for defending Ukraine

A Russian court has sentenced Georgian citizen Gela Beglarishvili to 14 years in prison in absentia for fighting alongside Ukrainian forces. Beglarishvili was convicted as a “mercenary” acting against Russia, according to the court’s decision.

Russian authorities claim that Beglarishvili participated in combat against Russian troops and representatives of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk republics. He has since been placed on a wanted list by Moscow.

The investigation is also ongoing against Beglarishvili’s wife, Rusudan Ivaneishvili, in the Russian-occupied Donetsk region. The Georgian couple has been fighting against Russian forces in Ukraine since February 2022.

Both Gela Beglarishvili and Rusudan Ivaneishvili have been honored with the Order for Courage, Second Class, by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for their bravery on the battlefield.