In Russia, a Central Bank employee was sentenced to 14 years in prison for attempting to fight for Ukraine
A military court in Russia has sentenced Konstantin Stepanov, an employee of the Bank of Russia, to 14 years in a maximum-security prison on charges of participating in the activities of a “terrorist organization.”
According to the ruling of the 2nd Western District Military Court, he must spend the first four years in prison, after which he will be transferred to a penal colony. He was also fined 500,000 rubles.
According to the investigation, in May 2024, Stepanov allegedly decided to join the Ukrainian paramilitary group “Legion ‘Freedom of Russia’,” which is recognized as a terrorist organization and banned in Russia. Investigators claim that he filled out forms on the organization’s website, provided personal information, and communicated with a recruiter.
He was detained in September 2024. It is also reported that prior to his arrest, he allegedly tried to convince a military acquaintance to join the “Russian Volunteer Corps.”
Stepanov himself did not admit guilt, stating that he was unaware that these organizations were banned in the Russian Federation, although he confirmed the fact of correspondence and filling out questionnaires.
The Russian Supreme Court had previously designated the “Freedom of Russia Legion” and the “Russian Volunteer Corps” as terrorist organizations and banned their activities.
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